American · Chicago, USA · Born 14 April 1966American basketball player widely regarded as one of the greatest in WNBA history, leading Houston Comets to four consecutive championships (1997-2000).
Cynthia Cooper was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1963. Houston Comets selected her in the 1997 inaugural WNBA Draft. She led the Comets to four consecutive WNBA championships (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000) — the only dynasty in league history — and was named Finals MVP in all four seasons. She won four WNBA scoring titles. She won Olympic gold with the USA at Seoul 1988. She spent much of her prime playing professionally in Spain and Italy — a common path for American women's basketball players in the pre-WNBA era — before returning to the United States to dominate the new league at age 34. Her combination of experience, scoring efficiency and leadership made her the defining player of women's basketball's founding era. She was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.
First WNBA superstar and four-time Finals MVP
How They Played
Explosive scorer and clutch performer with exceptional leadership
Lasting Impact
Pioneer who helped establish the WNBA as a viable professional league
Career Honours
- WNBA Champion 1997,1998,1999,2000
- WNBA Finals MVP 1997,1998,1999,2000
- Olympic Gold 1988
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Houston Comets | 1997–2000 | 120 |
American Athletes