Women's Basketball: Meet The Michael Jordan Of The Women's Game

ByScotty Jenkins

3 min read

Women's Basketball: Meet The Michael Jordan Of The Women's Game

Although there are many modern day women trying to replace the OG Michael Jordan of women’s basketball, no one comes close to the infamy of the great Sheryl Swoopes.

Swoopes is showcasing hardware with the likes of Olympic medals, WNBA championships, MVP accolades, and holds a series of ‘first women ever to...’ The original trailblazer for females on the basketball court, no woman comes close to surmounting what Swoopes was able to accomplish in her career.

Follow along as we recount the career of the Michael Jordan of Women’s Basketball.

The Early Years: Junior College to Division-I

In 91’ Swoopes was named the National Junior College Player of the year. Her career took off when she transferred to Texas Tech.

At Texas Tech University Swoopes stacked up an impressive record of 47 points scored in a NCAA title game. She also led the Raiders to a 1993 NCAA national championship title.

Swoopes was named National Player of the Year in the same season and NCAA Final Four MVP. Tack on a Naismith National Player of the year and as a player who averaged 24.9 points and 8 rebounds throughout her entire Collegiate career.

It is understandable that no one has been able to touch the impressive college career of the female Michael Jordan of Women’s Basketball.

Representing Her Country: Olympics and USA Basketball

Swoopes wasn’t satisfied with her college career and moved on to represent the USA in multiple FIBA World Championships. During her play in the FIBA World Championships Sherylbrought home two bronze medals (94’ and 06’) and two gold medals (98 and 02’) in her four appearances.

Moving on to the Olympic court for Team USA, Swoopes wasn’t going to settle for anything less than the golden hardware. She appeared in the Olympic games in 1996, 2000, and 2004. The Michael Jordan of women’s basketball brought home gold medals in all three Olympic appearances.

Sheryl Swoopes was digging the groundwork for all women to break through on the basketball court.

Destined For The Professional Game: WNBA All-Star

The first female player to sign a Women’s National Basketball Association contract took place in October of 1996. Her WNBA contract and previous accolades caught the attention of Nike who jumped at the opportunity to offer the Michael Jordan of women’s basketball her own shoe and Nike contract.

In her first season of her WNBA contract, Swoopes was pregnant with her first child and missed 19 games of the season. Staying true to form, Swoopes returned to her team, The Comets, and led them to the first WNBA national title during the 97’ season.

Nothing was stopping her now. Throughout her WNBA career Swoopes gained a reputation as the Michale Jordan of women’s basketball. Her stamp on the game speaks for themselves: ALL-WNBA First Team, All-Star Games, National Championships, recording the first triple-double in league play, MVP awards, Defensive Player of the year awards, and the list goes on.

Simply put, there’s nothing Swoopes couldn’t do on the basketball court.

Tough Act To Follow: Her Legacy In Women's Basketball

With such an elusive career there is no doubt that Sheryl Swoopes was, is, and will always be the Michael Jordan of women’s basketball.

Swoopes continues to emerge herself in the game after her impressive career. She spent time coaching at the DI level with Loyola University in 2013 and working as Director of Player Development at her alma mater, Texas Tech University.

Are you an Athlete?

Create a free profile to access the largest network specifically designed to connect athletes to opportunities. Get started.

RELATED ARTICLES
The company behind Elite 11 knows more than just quarterbacks

The company behind Elite 11 knows more than just quarterbacks

Student Sports is a company dedicated to organizing and promoting sports events and programs for...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Apr 10 2023
College Basketball: Four Coaches Who Could Switch Jobs After March Madness

College Basketball: Four Coaches Who Could Switch Jobs After March Madness

While the games from November through February certainly count in the standings, the tilts that...

ByAndrew Pistone | Wed Mar 15 2023
Five Reasons Why College Basketball Coaches Rescind Scholarship Offers

Five Reasons Why College Basketball Coaches Rescind Scholarship Offers

It’s what you have dreamed of, worked for, and waited on your whole life - a coveted college...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Feb 13 2023
Digital Talent Identification: Volleyball Canada's Solution for Saving Athletes Thousands

Digital Talent Identification: Volleyball Canada's Solution for Saving Athletes Thousands

The average family of a youth volleyball player will spend $30,000 a year to compete at an elite...

ByJoey Grant | Tue Jan 24 2023
Why The Transfer Portal Is So Important For College Basketball Coaches

Why The Transfer Portal Is So Important For College Basketball Coaches

2019 was a transformative year in NCAA athletics. The NCAA Transfer Portal, a database which allows...

ByKeiwaine Hicks | Sun Dec 11 2022
Recruiting Rankings: Should I Be Worried If I’m Not A Ranked Basketball Player?

Recruiting Rankings: Should I Be Worried If I’m Not A Ranked Basketball Player?

Getting ranked - it’s the ultimate goal and source of motivation for many basketball players across...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sun Dec 04 2022
How similar is the NCAA Transfer Portal to free agency in professional sports?

How similar is the NCAA Transfer Portal to free agency in professional sports?

The NCAA Transfer Portal is a great platform that is beneficial to student-athletes. It allows...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Dec 02 2022
"What Is A 5-Star Recruit?": Explaining how high school basketball prospect rankings work

"What Is A 5-Star Recruit?": Explaining how high school basketball prospect rankings work

High School basketball players like Bronny James are all over TV and social media nowadays, with...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Dec 01 2022
What is a 'Draw'? And Why Ties Still Exist in the World's Most Popular Sport

What is a 'Draw'? And Why Ties Still Exist in the World's Most Popular Sport

When it comes to the growing popularity of soccer in the United States, perhaps one of the...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Nov 23 2022
Five Ways To Boost Your Basketball Recruiting with Social Media

Five Ways To Boost Your Basketball Recruiting with Social Media

Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, GMTM, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook... Social media is a...

ByKeiwaine Hicks | Sat Nov 19 2022
Soccer Coaching: The four most popular formations and why they work

Soccer Coaching: The four most popular formations and why they work

In soccer, formations define the different positions on the field taken by each player of a...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Nov 18 2022
WNBA Star Denied Appeal To 9-Year Prison Sentence In Russia

WNBA Star Denied Appeal To 9-Year Prison Sentence In Russia

Brittney Griner was dealt another blow in her hopes to return home to the U.S. Tuesday. The WNBA...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Oct 26 2022
Will Universities And Gambling Platforms Ever Join Forces?

Will Universities And Gambling Platforms Ever Join Forces?

There’s an interesting dichotomy between sports and gambling. They’re natural partners, and...

ByAndrew Pistone | Tue Oct 18 2022
Sports Psychology: What traits of character are needed for an athlete to win?

Sports Psychology: What traits of character are needed for an athlete to win?

What do you think of when you think about the top super star athletes around the world? It can be...

ByGrace White | Mon Oct 10 2022
How to Handle College Media As a Mid-Major Athlete

How to Handle College Media As a Mid-Major Athlete

Generally speaking playing at a mid-major Division I school means not having to worry about seeing...

ByJamison White | Sun Oct 09 2022
Johnson V NCAA: The Next Case That Can ReShape the future of the NCAA

Johnson V NCAA: The Next Case That Can ReShape the future of the NCAA

By now we are all familiar with the Alston case that shifted the dynamics of college sports, as...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Oct 06 2022
College Lacrosse: Quick Guide To Watching The Sport This Season

College Lacrosse: Quick Guide To Watching The Sport This Season

First time watching lacrosse? Kinda complicated, right? Well, basically you're just trying to get...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Oct 05 2022
How Recruits Can Ask A School For More Athletic Scholarship Money

How Recruits Can Ask A School For More Athletic Scholarship Money

Athletes and parents often ask for college scholarship money during the athletic recruiting...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Sep 21 2022
Frequently Asked Questions For GMTM Users

Frequently Asked Questions For GMTM Users

Being a new platform working to revolutionize the way athletes are connected with opportunities is...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Sep 19 2022
How UConn Has Dominated Women’s College Basketball

How UConn Has Dominated Women’s College Basketball

Women’s College Basketball and UConn are two terms that you will often hear together as they have...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Sep 01 2022
Basketball Recruiting: Four Ways To Improve Your Chances Of Getting A Scholarship

Basketball Recruiting: Four Ways To Improve Your Chances Of Getting A Scholarship

College basketball recruiting is structured in a time-sensitive and fast-paced manner:...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Aug 29 2022
USA Football Partners With GMTM   For National Team Identification

USA Football Partners With GMTM For National Team Identification

Football continues to be America's most popular sport. As another season is underway, football fans...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Aug 27 2022
Five Ways To Gain A College Basketball Coach’s Attention in the First Correspondence

Five Ways To Gain A College Basketball Coach’s Attention in the First Correspondence

Whether by writing a letter or sending an e-mail, reaching out to a college basketball coach for...

ByKeiwaine Hicks | Thu Aug 25 2022
Four Things Recruiting Highlights Don't Show College Basketball Coaches

Four Things Recruiting Highlights Don't Show College Basketball Coaches

You clipped together the perfect highlight tape: the half-court buzzer beater, the flashy handles,...

ByKeiwaine Hicks | Fri Aug 19 2022
NIL In High School: Which States Give HS Athletes Name, Image, Likeness Rights?

NIL In High School: Which States Give HS Athletes Name, Image, Likeness Rights?

In only a few months since legislation passed in early July, the ability for college athletes to...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sun Aug 14 2022
Four Ways College Basketball Coaches Will Show Interest In Recruits

Four Ways College Basketball Coaches Will Show Interest In Recruits

Postcards from sunny, resort locations such as the Bahamas or Hawaii. Pictures of the team smiling...

ByKeiwaine Hicks | Sun Aug 14 2022
Why Track & Field Athletes and Runners Should Never Ignore Foot Pain

Why Track & Field Athletes and Runners Should Never Ignore Foot Pain

Full-time track athletes will put in hundreds of hours of workouts each year to help elevate their...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Aug 11 2022
How Lacrosse Has Continued To Grow In Popularity Across America

How Lacrosse Has Continued To Grow In Popularity Across America

Lacrosse is frequently referred to as “the fastest sport on two feet” and its growth over the last...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Aug 03 2022
Name, Image, & Likeness: Duke, Kentucky remain popular destinations for college basketball recruits

Name, Image, & Likeness: Duke, Kentucky remain popular destinations for college basketball recruits

The name, image, and likeness of college athletes has been a topic of discussion for several years,...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Aug 02 2022
College Swimming And Diving: Is It Hard To Get Recruited?

College Swimming And Diving: Is It Hard To Get Recruited?

Collegiate swim and diving is a long-forgotten sport for women that can benefit them immensely. Not...

ByAlexis Peltzer-Harding | Tue Jul 26 2022
College Wrestling: NCAA Innovations That Every Wrestler Should Be Paying Attention To

College Wrestling: NCAA Innovations That Every Wrestler Should Be Paying Attention To

As one of the world’s oldest sports and centerpiece of the Olympics, wrestling is rooted in deep...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Jul 25 2022
Basketball Recruiting: Do the top high school teams get more attention from college coaches?

Basketball Recruiting: Do the top high school teams get more attention from college coaches?

If you are a basketball fan, player, or coach, you’ve often heard about or have watched some of the...

ByKeiwaine Hicks | Fri Jul 22 2022
College Basketball Scholarships: Four Unknown Truths Every Recruit Should Know

College Basketball Scholarships: Four Unknown Truths Every Recruit Should Know

For many people in the basketball community, a college basketball scholarship is held in the...

ByKeiwaine Hicks | Wed Jul 20 2022
What College Coaches Are Looking for in a Recruit

What College Coaches Are Looking for in a Recruit

Playing for a college team takes more than talent or level of skill, and coaches are looking for...

ByRebekah Morris | Wed Jul 20 2022
Beach Volleyball Rules: How The Sand Differs From Indoor Volleyball

Beach Volleyball Rules: How The Sand Differs From Indoor Volleyball

What can be better than watching volleyball? Not much... besides watching volleyball on the beach!...

ByRebekah Morris | Mon Jul 18 2022
Distracting Game Film? Here are six types of videographers to avoid during your biggest games

Distracting Game Film? Here are six types of videographers to avoid during your biggest games

If you desire to get recruited to play college basketball, it’s paramount that you record games,...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Jul 15 2022
Volleyball: How To Become A Better Setter

Volleyball: How To Become A Better Setter

In volleyball, the setter controls the offense by turning the first pass into a hittable ball. They...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Jul 13 2022
Volleyball: Three Best Drills & Workouts To Improve Your Setting

Volleyball: Three Best Drills & Workouts To Improve Your Setting

Setters are key members of a team’s offense. They are skilled in the overhand set, speed, accuracy,...

ByRebekah Morris | Tue Jul 12 2022
College Visit: Three Ways To Determine If a Basketball Coach Is The Right Fit

College Visit: Three Ways To Determine If a Basketball Coach Is The Right Fit

The atmosphere is electric: bands playing trendy music, a packed arena or stadium full of screaming...

ByKeiwaine Hicks | Thu Jun 30 2022
Recruiting Advice: Don’t Let Your Sport Become A Chore

Recruiting Advice: Don’t Let Your Sport Become A Chore

For many athletes the grind as the sport gets more and more involved as the level of play goes up....

ByJamison White | Fri Jun 24 2022
GMTM: The Athlete Social Network Empowering Female Athletes

GMTM: The Athlete Social Network Empowering Female Athletes

For the past 50 years, Title IX has played a vital role in empowering female athletes. The barriers...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Jun 23 2022
Three Retired NBA Superstars Who Were Cut From Their High School Teams

Three Retired NBA Superstars Who Were Cut From Their High School Teams

It’s easy for fans to look at the current version of their favorite NBA players and think “they...

ByAndrew Pistone | Tue Jun 21 2022
Recruiting: Why does Division-I Basketball have the most teams of any sport?

Recruiting: Why does Division-I Basketball have the most teams of any sport?

Athletes looking to move onto a DI college or university have the best chance if they play...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Jun 15 2022
College Basketball: Why Experience Still Matters For Division-I Teams

College Basketball: Why Experience Still Matters For Division-I Teams

College basketball's history is filled with teams that had to overcome adversity on the road to a...

ByBryan Armetta | Mon Jun 13 2022
College Basketball: Three Top Programs That Could Miss the NCAA Tournament

College Basketball: Three Top Programs That Could Miss the NCAA Tournament

Anyone who enjoys college basketball understands this is the closest one can get to sheer chaos in...

ByBryan Armetta | Mon Jun 13 2022
Women's Basketball: Meet The Michael Jordan Of The Women's Game

Women's Basketball: Meet The Michael Jordan Of The Women's Game

Although there are many modern day women trying to replace the OG Michael Jordan of women’s...

ByScotty Jenkins | Mon Jun 13 2022
College Basketball: Three Biggest Coaching Hires of the Offseason

College Basketball: Three Biggest Coaching Hires of the Offseason

Once upon a time, long before the transfer portal and NIL deals, college basketball offseasons were...

ByBryan Armetta | Sun Jun 12 2022
Six Most Common Volleyball Injuries & How To Prevent Them

Six Most Common Volleyball Injuries & How To Prevent Them

What are the top volleyball injuries and what are the best tips to avoid them? As volleyball...

ByGrace White | Fri May 13 2022
Volleyball Players: Here are Four Ways to Boost Your Recruitment

Volleyball Players: Here are Four Ways to Boost Your Recruitment

No matter how talented or hardworking you are as an athlete, there are ways to boost your...

ByRebekah Morris | Mon May 09 2022
How Athletes Can Avoid High School Sports Injuries

How Athletes Can Avoid High School Sports Injuries

It is every athlete's worst nightmare, you work hard and train for months in the offseason to...

ByAria Modirmassihai | Wed May 04 2022