Sheryl Swoopes: A Basketball Legend

Personal and Professional Overview

Born on March 25, 1971, Sheryl Swoopes is an American former professional basketball player. She was the first player signed to the WNBA in 1996 and is widely considered one of the greatest female basketball players of all time.

Swoopes played college basketball at Texas Tech University, where she led the team to the NCAA Championship game in 1993. She was selected as the number one overall pick in the 1997 WNBA Draft by the Houston Comets.

WNBA Career

With the Houston Comets, Swoopes won four WNBA championships in 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000. She was named the WNBA MVP three times in 2000, 2002, and 2005.

Swoopes also played for the Seattle Storm and Tulsa Shock during her WNBA career. She retired from professional basketball in 2011.

USA Basketball

Swoopes was a member of the United States women's national basketball team from 1990 to 2004. She helped the team win three Olympic gold medals (1996, 2000, and 2004) and two FIBA World Championships (1998 and 2002).

Legacy

Swoopes is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of women's basketball. She helped pave the way for the growth and popularity of the WNBA.

In 2016, Swoopes was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Other Accomplishments

• Three-time WNBA Finals MVP
• Six-time WNBA All-Star
• Five-time WNBA All-WNBA Team
• Two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year
• Two-time WNBA scoring champion