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When Sheryl Swoopes was growing up, there were no professional women's basketball teams in the United States. In fact, when she was in elementary school, her brothers told her basketball was just for boys. S... More

When Sheryl Swoopes was growing up, there were no professional women's basketball teams in the United States. In fact, when she was in elementary school, her brothers told her basketball was just for boys. Sheryl was crushed! She wanted to play, too. Her mother recognized Sheryl's talent and signed her up to play on a girl's team in Texas called the Little Dribblers. It was the beginning of a long basketball career for Sheryl.

Even when Sheryl graduated from college, there were no pro women's leagues in the United States. She accepted an offer to play in Italy, but returned home soon after. She did not like being so far from her family. So, for her, it was a dream come true when two pro women's leagues were formed in 1997. Sheryl was the first player chosen by the Houston Comets. Once relegated to the sidelines, girls' basketball has become a major professional sport. Sheryl Swoopes played a big part in its success.