Sports stats



WNBA Women's National Basketball Association

NBA TV Presents WNBA Roundtable: 15th Anniversary

July 19, 2011 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) News Release


NEW YORK, July 19, 2011 -- As the WNBA celebrates its 15th anniversary, four pillars of the league - two-time WNBA champion Lisa Leslie; former teammates Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson, who led the Houston Comets to four titles; and Hall of Famer Lynette Woodard - reflect on the history of the WNBA when NBA TV presents WNBA Roundtable: 15th Anniversary on Thursday, July 21, at 6 p.m. ET.

The four WNBA legends conduct a heartfelt discussion reflecting on the birth of the league, some of the greatest moments and players, their own personal journeys, and the impact that the WNBA and its players have had on the sports world.

"I think that is very neat to see some young girl with a jersey on that has your name on the back. That just didn't happen before," says Woodard, who played for the WNBA's Cleveland Rockers and Detroit Shock. "With all the media exposure, you now have little girls that are growing up dreaming about playing in the WNBA. I think that is one of the most beautiful things about having a league in this country."

Among the other conversations heard around the NBA TV roundtable are:

Leslie on her introduction to the WNBA:

"When we were done in '96 (the U.S. Olympic Gold Medial winning team), I thought I was retired from basketball. I had actually signed a modeling contract in New York with Wilhelmina. When the WNBA began, I thought it was going to be a summer league. When they said we (the Los Angeles Sparks) were playing at The Forum, I said, `The Forum' Are you serious' Where the Lakers play''"

Thompson on watching the first WNBA game between Los Angeles and the New York Liberty:

"That tipoff was kind of like one of those movie moments. I was watching it and I was proud. Although we (the Houston Comets) were not playing, WE were playing."

Swoopes on Houston Comets teammate and two-time WNBA MVP Cynthia Cooper:

"When you have a leader like Coop, you can't help to bring it every single day. I think with her it was more a challenge because she had been playing overseas. No one really knew about her here. There were some people saying `Who is Cynthia Cooper'', so I think she felt like, `I have something to prove.'"

Woodard on the next evolution of the game:

"What we are going to see more of, is what you (Lisa Leslie) got started and I'm talking about the dunking game (Leslie was the first player to dunk in a WNBA game, followed by her Sparks teammate, Candace Parker). There are some players coming down the pike that a dunk is like taking a drink of water. I mean it is coming every which way."

Check out the Women's National Basketball Association Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Women's National Basketball Association message board...

Women's National Basketball Association Stories from July 19, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central