(7.23.2011 - Katie Smith receives her Top 15 WNBA award from league President Laurel Richie - San Antonio Texas - WNBA All-Star Game -NBAE/Getty Images)
(It is hard to believe just how fast time scoots by, but the Woman's National Basketball Association has been in operation for 15 seasons now. We remember watching the 1997 inaugural game as curious fans. And we can also remember being a bit more interested in the league when a former Buckeye by the name of Katie Smith started with the Minnesota Lynx to begin a WNBA career that would eventually lead to multiple championships with Detroit.)
Despite the WNBA's occasional financial troubles, and the obvious hurdles of marketing a woman's league to the U.S public, it is great that there is a top level Woman's basketball league in the States for young women to dream about and possibly compete in. Here's to another 15 years of WNBA basketball.)
Despite the WNBA's occasional financial troubles, and the obvious hurdles of marketing a woman's league to the U.S public, it is great that there is a top level Woman's basketball league in the States for young women to dream about and possibly compete in. Here's to another 15 years of WNBA basketball.)
Tremendous Honor - The WNBA has been in celebration mode all season long in recognizing their 15th year anniversary of league play. In the first half of the season, fans, players, and coaches voted to select 15 superstars of the past and present to honor as the best 15 WNBA players of all-time.
The top 15 players, which was announced at the 2011 WNBA All-Star game, included greats such as Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, Cynthia Cooper, and Buckeye legend Katie Smith! Katie's illustrious WNBA career includes two League Championships with the Detroit Shock (2006, 2008) and a WNBA finals MVP award (2008). She's the WNBA's all-time leader in 3-point field goals, and also holds the distinction of being the leading scorer in Woman's basketball history (ABL & WNBA). Congrats Katie!
From CBSsports.com - (link)
Katie Smith, 5'11" guard/forwardIn addition to those accomplishments, Smith has also earned three Olympic Gold Medals (2000, 2004, 2008) & two FIBA World Championship Gold Medals (1998, 2002) with Team USA. She is also the only player to win championships in both the ABL and WNBA (Smith won with the Columbus Quest of the ABL in 1997 and 1998, and Detroit Shock in 2006, 2008).
"All-time leader in 3-pointers in WNBA, 2nd all-time in minutes played and freethrows made, 3rd all-time in points scored, 5th all-time in field goals made, 10th all-time in assists, 2-time WNBA Champion, 1-time WNBA Finals MVP, 2-time All-WNBA 1st Team"
WNBA.com - WNBA Honors 15 of the top players in league history (Great Summary)
Video of Katie Smith being honored at the 2011 WNBA All-Star Game!
The Top 15 players of WNBA History
(From left to right - standing - Dawn Staley, Sheryl Swoopes, Tina Thompson, Yolanda Griffith, Ticha Penicheiro, Lisa Leslie, Lauren Jackson, Katie Smith, Tamika Catchings.)
(From left to right - sitting - Cynthia Cooper, Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Cappie Pondexter, Teresa Weatherspoon, and Becky Hammon)
No comments:
Post a Comment