Cynthia Cooper (basketball)

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Cynthia Lynne Cooper (born on April 14, 1963 in Chicago, Illinois) is a former basketball player who has played in college, the Olympics, and in professional leagues, most notably with the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played for the Houston Comets from 1997-2000 and again in 2003.

Contents 1 Personal 2 High School years 3 College years 4 International Career 5 WNBA career 6 College coaching career 7 Vital statistics 8 External links

[edit] Personal

Although born in Chicago, Illinois, Cooper grew up in South Central Los Angeles, California. She was married in 2000.

In 2000, she published her autobiography, entitled She Got Game: My Personal Odyssey, which covered her childhood, her basketball career up to that time, and her mother's battle with breast cancer.

[edit] High School years

She attended Locke High School before enrolling at the University of Southern California.

[edit] College years

Cooper was a four-year letter winner at guard for USC from 1982-86. She led the Lady Trojans to back-to-back NCAA tournament titles in 1982 and 1983 and closed out her collegiate career with an appearance in the 1986 NCAA tournament championship game and a spot on the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team. Cooper ranks eighth on USC’s all-time scoring list with 1,559 points, fifth in assists (381) and third in steals (256).

[edit] International Career

Cooper was a member of the gold medalist 1988 US Olympic Women's Basketball Team.

[edit] WNBA career

Cooper was voted the WNBA's MVP in 1997 and 1998 and also won four WNBA Championships with the Houston Comets. During the Comet dynasty, she was a vital part of the triple threat offense with Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson. When retired in 2000, Cooper became the first player in WNBA history to score 500, 1,000 and 2,000 and 2,500 career points. She scored 30 or more points in 16 of her 120 games and had a 92-game double-figure scoring streak from 97-00. She went on to coach the Phoenix Mercury for one and a half seasons.

Cooper returned as an active player in the 2003 season, but announced her final retirement from professional basketball in 2004.

Afterwards, she served as a TV analyst and halftime reporter for the Houston Rockets of the NBA.

[edit] College coaching career

In May 2005, Cooper was named the Head Coach of the women's basketball team at Prairie View A&M University.

Cooper's impact at Prarie View was immediate. In just her second season, Cooper led the underdog Panthers to the SWAC tournament title, netting the school its first-ever Womens NCAA Tournament bid.

[edit] Vital statistics

• Position: Guard
• Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
• College: University of Southern California
• Team(s): Houston Comets

[edit] External links

• WNBA player profile
• Unofficial Fan Site
• News and Q&A interview regarding Cooper's coaching hire at Prairie View A&M University
• Cooper leads PV to first ever NCAA tournament

Preceded by Cheryl Miller

Phoenix Mercury Head Coach 2001–2002

Succeeded by Linda Sharp

Women's National Basketball Association | WNBA's All-Decade Team
Sue Bird | Tamika Catchings | Cynthia Cooper | Yolanda Griffith | Lauren Jackson | Lisa Leslie | Katie Smith | Dawn Staley | Sheryl Swoopes | Tina Thompson Ruthie Bolton | Chamique Holdsclaw | Ticha Penicheiro | Diana Taurasi | Teresa Weatherspoon (Honorable mention)