WNBA Fan Clubs

Sheryl Swoopes is the most recognized player in the WNBA. Some call her “the female Michael Jordan.” An apt comparison, I would say. She is a NCAA Champion, three-time Olympic gold medalist, and WNBA Champion. Swoopes has also extended her reach beyond the court and has established the Sheryl Swoopes Foundation for Youth and serves on the advisory board of MADD.

On the Court

Single-handedly, she has raised the profile of women’s basketball to a new level. She first drew attention at Texas Tech when she was the first player, male or female, to score 47 points in a collegiate national championship game. Swoopes was also the first player to be signed by the WNBA in 1996 and has played with the Houston Comets since their inaugural season in 1997.

Texas Tech

At Texas Tech Swoopes lead the team to two Southwest Conference titles and the 1993 NCAA title. Tech’s win over Ohio State 84-82 in 1993 and her record braking scoring performance earned Swoopes the NCAA Final Four MVP and the 1993 National Player of the Year. Texas Tech honored Swoopes’ outstanding performance at the university by retiring her number 22 jersey on February 19, 2004.

Olympic Gold

Three-peat; back-to-back-to-back. 1996 in Atlanta, 2000 in Sydney and 2004 in Athens. Swoopes led the USA Women’s Basketball team during the 2004 Olympics in 3-point percentage (.429), free throw percentage (19), assists (13) and points per game (9.1). She was invited by President G.W. Bush for the Opening Ceremonies to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

WNBA

Swoopes led her team, the Houston Comets, along with Cynthia Cooper and Tina Thompson, to 4 straight WNBA Championships defining it as the first WNBA dynasty (1997 - 2000). She has earned WNBA Player of the Year Award (2002), WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Awards (2000, 2002, 2003), WNBA regular season MVP (2000, 2002, 2003).

There is no doubt that Swoopes has left her mark on the young league and continues to inspire players across the world.

Sheryl has this to say about the future of the WNBA:

“First of all, there’s definitely more talent in the league today than there was seven-eight years ago,” Swoopes said. “I think the biggest difference is all of the young talent that we have in the league today. And when I look at the college game today, it’s only going to get better.”

Off the Court

Sheryl Swoopes time off the court has been equally remarkable. She established the Sheryl Swoopes Foundation for Youth, an organization dedicated to helping educate, enhance and empower children across the world.

Swoopes also serves on the advisory board of MADD and has co-authored a book, Bounce Back where she shares her personal story of triumph and encouragement to bounce back from adversity.

Everyone can compare Sheryl Swoopes to Michael Jordan but in my opinion she has earned a name of her own. Sheryl Swoopes has become a legendary player of her own time and has a made a significant impact on the sport. To watch her play is pure pleasure; her skill, grace and athleticism is unmatched.

Bio & Fast Facts

• Born March 25, 1971 in Brownfield, Texas
• Inspired by her mother, Louise.
• First basketball memory is “going to nationals with Little Dribblers team when I was eight years old”
• Has been with her partner, Alisa Scott, since 1998
• First woman to have her own Nike basketball shoe named after her called the “Air Swoopes”
• Gave birth to her son, Jordan, on June 25,1997
• Won 2001 ESPY for Women’s Pro Basketball Player of the Year

Resources

• Texas Tech
• Olympics
• WNBA

Filed under: Houston Comets, Player Profiles, WNBA Players