History of Sheryl Swoopes in Timeline
Sheryl Denise Swoopes is a celebrated American former professional basketball player. She holds the distinction of being the first player signed to the WNBA and is a three-time WNBA MVP. Her impressive career boasts numerous accolades, including three Olympic gold medals, a place among the WNBA's Top 15 Players of All Time, and inductions into both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Notably, Swoopes is one of eleven women's basketball players to have clinched victory in the Olympics, NCAA Championship, FIBA World Cup, and WNBA.
March 25, 1971: Birth of Sheryl Swoopes
Sheryl Denise Swoopes was born on March 25, 1971.
1992: Selected to the Division I All-American Squad
Sheryl Swoopes was chosen for the Division I All-American squad in both 1992 and 1993.
1992: Swoopes's Time at Texas Tech
During her time at Texas Tech, Sheryl Swoopes showcased her basketball talent, notably in the 1992-1993 season.
March 13, 1993: Swoopes Sets Single-Game Scoring Record
On March 13, 1993, Sheryl Swoopes set a single-game scoring record with 53 points against the University of Texas.
1993: National Player of the Year and Other Awards
At the age of 22, Sheryl Swoopes received the Naismith College Player of the Year award in 1993. She also received the Honda Sports Award, was named the WBCA Player of the Year, and was selected to the Division I All-American squad.
1993: Multiple Awards and Recognition
Sheryl Swoopes had a momentous year in 1993, receiving the prestigious Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year award. She also won the Honda Sports Award for basketball and was named the WBCA Player of the Year.
1993: NCAA Women's Basketball Championship and Jersey Retirement
Sheryl Swoopes led the Texas Tech Lady Raiders to victory in the NCAA women's basketball championship in 1993. The following year, her jersey was retired by Texas Tech, making her one of only three Lady Raiders to receive this honor.
June 1994: Swoopes Competes in World Championships
Sheryl Swoopes participated in the 1994 World Championships in Sydney, Australia, as part of the USA national team. The team earned the bronze medal.
June 1995: Marriage to High School Sweetheart
Sheryl Swoopes married her high school sweetheart in June 1995.
1995: Pan American Games Cancelled
Sheryl Swoopes was selected to represent the United States at the 1995 USA Women's Pan American Games, but the event was cancelled due to a lack of participating teams.
1996: Olympic Gold and WNBA Spotlight
Sheryl Swoopes gained national attention for her role in the USA Basketball Women's National Team's gold medal win at the 1996 Olympic Games. This victory helped bring focus to the newly formed WNBA.
1996: Swoopes Competes in the Atlanta Olympics
Sheryl Swoopes, as a member of the USA team, competed in the 1996 Olympics held in Atlanta, Georgia. The team dominated their pool play games.
August 7, 1997: Swoopes's WNBA Debut
On August 7, 1997, Sheryl Swoopes played her first game for the Houston Comets, marking her entry into the WNBA. The Comets won against the Phoenix Mercury.
1997: Birth of Son, Jordan Eric Jackson
Sheryl Swoopes gave birth to her son, Jordan Eric Jackson, in 1997.
1997: The Houston Comets' Winning Streak Begins
Sheryl Swoopes joined the Houston Comets in 1997, the start of their four-year winning streak in the WNBA championships.
1999: Divorce from First Husband
Sheryl Swoopes' marriage to her high school sweetheart ended in divorce in 1999.
2000: Three-Time WNBA MVP and Champion
Sheryl Swoopes achieved the distinction of being a three-time WNBA MVP in 2000, 2002, and 2005. She also played a crucial role in the Houston Comets' four consecutive WNBA championships from 1997 to 2000.
2000: Second Olympic Gold Medal
Sheryl Swoopes won her second Olympic gold medal in 2000.
2000: Named One of the Top 20 Female Athletes of the Decade
Sports Illustrated recognized Sheryl Swoopes' impact on the world of sports by naming her one of the top 20 female athletes of the decade from 2000 to 2010.
2002: Three-Time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year
Sheryl Swoopes was named WNBA Defensive Player of the Year three times, in 2000, 2002, and 2003.
2002: Swoopes Wins Gold at World Championships
Sheryl Swoopes was part of the national team that triumphed at the 2002 World Championships in China. The team won all their games, including a close victory against Russia in the final.
2003: Swoopes's Final WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award
Sheryl Swoopes received the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award for the third time in 2003.
2004: Third Olympic Gold Medal
Sheryl Swoopes won her third Olympic gold medal at the 2004 Olympic Games.
October 2005: Publicly Comes Out as Gay
In a significant moment for LGBTQ+ visibility in sports, Sheryl Swoopes publicly announced that she was gay in October 2005.
2005: Swoopes's Third WNBA MVP Award
In 2005, Sheryl Swoopes earned her third WNBA MVP award.
2006: Swoopes Holds Scoring Record at Texas Tech
As of 2006, Sheryl Swoopes held the all-time scoring record for a single season at Texas Tech, achieving 955 points during the 1992-1993 season.
2006: Swoopes Earns Bronze at World Championships
Sheryl Swoopes was on the US team for the 2006 World Championships in Brazil. They won eight of nine games, losing to Russia in the semifinals but defeating Brazil for the bronze medal.
March 3, 2008: Swoopes Joins the Seattle Storm
On March 3, 2008, Sheryl Swoopes was signed by the Seattle Storm, ending her time with the Houston Comets after 11 years.
2008: Swoopes Appears on "Shirts & Skins"
Sheryl Swoopes appeared on Logo TV's reality series "Shirts & Skins" in 2008, mentoring the San Francisco Rockdogs, a gay basketball team.
February 3, 2009: Swoopes Leaves the Seattle Storm
The Seattle Storm waived Sheryl Swoopes on February 3, 2009.
2010: Swoopes Remains in Women's Basketball Record Books
As of 2010, Sheryl Swoopes held multiple records in women's basketball, including single-game scoring, single-season scoring, and championship tournament scoring.
2010: Recognized as an LGBT History Month Icon
Further solidifying her legacy, Sheryl Swoopes was designated as an LGBT History Month Icon by the Equality Forum.
2010: Assistant Coach at Mercer Island High School
In 2010, Sheryl Swoopes took on the role of assistant basketball coach at Mercer Island High School in Washington.
August 26, 2011: Swoopes Makes Game-Winning Shot
On August 26, 2011, Sheryl Swoopes made a buzzer-beating shot that led the Tulsa Shock to a victory against the Los Angeles Sparks, ending the Shock's 20-game losing streak.
September 11, 2011: Swoopes's Final WNBA Game
Sheryl Swoopes played her final WNBA game on September 11, 2011. The Tulsa Shock lost to the San Antonio Silver Stars.
2011: Swoopes Returns to the WNBA
Sheryl Swoopes returned to the WNBA in 2011, joining the Tulsa Shock. She was 40 years old at the time.
2011: Breakup with Alisa Scott and Engagement to Chris Unclesho
Sheryl Swoopes' relationship with former basketball player Alisa Scott ended in 2011. Later that year, she became engaged to Chris Unclesho, a longtime friend.
2011: Swoopes Becomes a Free Agent
Following the 2011 season, Sheryl Swoopes became an unrestricted free agent.
2011: Swoopes Named One of WNBA's Top 15 Players
At the 2011 WNBA All-Star Game, Sheryl Swoopes was recognized as one of the league's Top 15 Players of All Time.
February 2012: Swoopes's Contract Not Renewed
In February 2012, the Tulsa Shock announced they would not be renewing Sheryl Swoopes's contract.
2012: Color Analyst for Texas Tech Women's Basketball
Sheryl Swoopes served as a color analyst for the Texas Tech women's basketball broadcast from 2012 to 2013.
2013: Head Coach at Loyola University Chicago
Sheryl Swoopes began her tenure as head coach of the Loyola University Chicago women's basketball team in 2013.
April 2016: Investigation into Alleged Mistreatment
In April 2016, Loyola University Chicago launched an investigation into Sheryl Swoopes' conduct as head coach following allegations of mistreatment from players.
July 4, 2016: Dismissal from Loyola University Chicago
Following an investigation into alleged mistreatment, Loyola University Chicago dismissed Sheryl Swoopes from her position as head coach on July 4, 2016.
2016: Named to the WNBA Top 20@20
In celebration of the WNBA's 20th anniversary, Sheryl Swoopes was voted into the WNBA Top 20@20.
2016: Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Sheryl Swoopes was honored with induction into the prestigious Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.
July 2017: Director of Player Development at Texas Tech
Sheryl Swoopes returned to her alma mater, Texas Tech, in July 2017, taking on the role of Director of Player Development for the women's basketball team.
July 21, 2017: Marriage to Chris Unclesho
Sheryl Swoopes married her longtime friend, Chris Unclesho, on July 21, 2017, after a long engagement.
2017: Inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
In 2017, Sheryl Swoopes was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.
January 1, 2018: Promotion to Assistant Coach at Texas Tech
On January 1, 2018, Sheryl Swoopes was promoted from Director of Player Development to assistant coach for the Texas Tech women's basketball team.