Teresa Weatherspoon

Teresa Gaye Weatherspoon (born December 8, 1965 in Pineland, Texas) is a former American Women's National Basketball Association player who played for the New York Liberty and Los Angeles Sparks.

College career

Weatherspoon was a health and physical education major and star basketball player at Louisiana Tech. In 1988, her senior season, Weatherspoon led the Lady Techsters to the NCAA national title.

WNBA career

Weatherspoon is one of the original players of the WNBA in 1997 when she joined the New York Liberty in the WNBA's inaugural season. A talented ball-handler and charismatic leader, her energetic play quickly endeared her to the fans and media in New York. Up until the 2003 season, she held the distinction of being the only WNBA player to start every one of her games. After the 2003 season, she was not re-signed by the Liberty and signed with the Los Angeles Sparks. After her 2004 season with the Sparks, Weatherspoon retired.

In 1997 she was the first winner of the league's Defensive player of the year award. She won the title again in 1998.

Coaching career

In 2007 Weatherspoon was the head coach of the Westchester Phantoms of the American Basketball Association. In April 2008 she joined the coaching staff of the Lady Techsters of Louisiana Tech.

Personal

Weatherspoon was born to Charles and Rowena Weatherspoon in Jasper, Texas. Her father, Charles Sr., played minor league baseball in the Minnesota Twins' farm system, and holds the record for the most grand slams (3) in a minor league game. Weatherspoon has two brothers and three sisters. She credits her family, especially her mother Rowena Weatherspoon, as the biggest influence on her basketball career. Her fans call her by her nicknames "T-Spoon" or "Spoon".

In 1999, she published a book titled "Teresa Weatherspoon's Basketball for Girls", filled with anecdotes and advice on improving basketball skills for young girls.

Vital statistics

*Position: Guard
*Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
*College: Louisiana Tech '88
*Teams(s): New York Liberty (1997-2003), Los Angeles Sparks (2004)

Career highlights

*WNBA #2 all-time in career assists
*Led the New York Liberty to the first ever WNBA Finals in 1997
*Started in the first four WNBA All-Star games, 1999-2003
*Hit a memorable halfcourt shot to tie the WNBA Finals series with the Houston Comets in 1999
*Started all her WNBA games up until the 2003 season

External links

* [http://www.nypost.com/sports/liberty/liberty.htm New York Post- Liberty Team Page]