Sheryl Denise Swoopes (born March 25, 1971 in Brownfield, Texas) is an American basketball player who currently plays for the Houston Comets in the WNBA. After winning the 1993 NCAA women's basketball title with Texas Tech, she gained national notoriety when she won the gold medal with the USA Women's Basketball Team at the 1996 Olympic Games.

Her scoring and defensive ability later helped her become a two-time WNBA MVP and a three-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. Swoopes's contributions to women's basketball as well as her tough play through injury have her generally considered as one of the best female basketball players of all time. She is also the first women's basketball player to have a Nike shoe named after her - the "Air Swoopes".

Vital statistics

• Position: Forward
• Height: 6' 0 / 1.83 m
• College: Texas Tech '93
• Team(s): Houston Comets (WNBA), Dallas Fury (NWBL)

Personal

Native of Lubbock, Texas. Raised by her mother Louise. Has one son, Jordan Jackson, who bears the surname of her husband Eric Jackson and is named after former professional basketball player Michael Jordan. Did not play during the inaugural WNBA season due to her pregnancy.

Career highlights

• Won the national title with Texas Tech in 1993.
• Had her jersey retired by Texas Tech in 1994.
• Three-time gold medalist (1996, 2000, 2004)
• Four-time WNBA champion (1997 - 2000)
• Two-time WNBA MVP (2000, 2002, Three-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2000, 2002, 2003)
• Has over 2,000 career points, 500 career rebonds, 300 career assists and 200 career steals
• First women's basketball player to have her own Nike shoe (The "Air Swoopes")

External links

• WNBA.com: Sheryl Swoopes bio
• WNBA.com