Comets to Retire Cynthia Cooper's #14 Jersey on July 15 vs. Detroit
Published on July 1, 2004 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Houston Comets News Release
HOUSTON â Houston Comets Owner Leslie Alexander has named Thursday, July 15 vs. the Detroit Shock as "Cynthia Cooper Night," where the team will retire the #14 jersey. Cooper, who announced her retirement from the WNBA on May 2, 2004, was a two-time WNBA Most Valuable Player (1997, 1998). She finished her WNBA career with averages of 21.0 points, 4.9 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 124 games with the Comets.
"Cynthia Cooper set the standard in the WNBA for future players to be measured against," said Comets Owner Alexander. "Every player and fan who comes to Toyota Center will be reminded of the outstanding contributions she made to the WNBA as well as the City of Houston by looking up and seeing the #14 jersey hanging along side the four championship banners she helped to raise as well as the #10 jersey of Kim Perrot."
The #14 will be only the second number ever retired by the Comets. The Comets retired jersey #10 in honor of the late Kim Perrot on July 29, 2000, which was the first player's jersey ever retired in the history of the WNBA.
Cooper (5-10, USC â86) helped the team win four consecutive titles and was named WNBA Finals MVP in each of the championship runs (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000). She ranks as Houston's all-time leader in scoring average (21.0), free throw percentage (.871) and assists per game (4.9). Cooper became the first player in WNBA history to reach the marks of 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 2,500 points. A four-time All-WNBA First-Team member (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000), Cooper was voted in as a starter to three WNBA All-Star Games (1999, 2000, 2003). Cooper, who topped the league in scoring in 1997 (22.2 ppg), 1998 (22.7 ppg) and 1999 (22.1 ppg), recorded 16 games of 30-plus points in her career. She also recorded the first two 40-point games in WNBA history (44 at Sacramento on July 25, 1997; 42 vs. Utah on August 16, 1999).
She currently serves as color analyst for Comets telecasts on KNWS TV51 and is studio analyst and halftime feature reporter for the Houston Rockets broadcast team.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from July 1, 2004
- Fans Can Vote For Lauren Jackson For ESPY Award Of Best WNBA Player - Seattle Storm
- Comets to Retire Cynthia Cooper's #14 Jersey on July 15 vs. Detroit - Houston Comets
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