Name: Cynthia Cooper
Nickname: Coop, C-Coop
Born: April 14, 1963
Status: Retired as player in July 2000; Returned to the WNBA April 29, 2003; Retired again on May 02, 2004; Retired as coach of Phoenix Mercury; Active as coach of the Prairie View A&M University Women’s basketball team.
Origin: Chicago, Illinois (grew up in Watts, South Central Los Angeles, California)
Height: 5-10/1,78
Weight: 150lbs/68kg
Schools: Locke High School, University of Southern California
Drafted: 1996, Inaugural WNBA Elite Draft
Languages: English, Italian
Website: InterBasket
Teams (jersey): US National Team, USC Trojans, Houston Comets (14)
Ibn Notes: Cynthia Cooper made the most of her short stint in the WNBA. Even on a team with worldly talents likeSheryl Swoopes, Tina Thompson, and Janeth Arcain, the veteran Cooper became the leader of the team. She won back-to-back MVPs, was the league’s leading scorer for three of the four years – in 1997 (22.2 ppg), 1998 (22.7 ppg) and 1999 (22.1 ppg) – and with Swoopes, Thompson and Arcain, they dominated the first four years of the WNBA by winning four consecutive Championships (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000). Cooper was named the Finals MVP each of those years and was also named All-WNBA First-Team member through those same years (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000).
Cooper attempted a comeback in 2003, however was only able to play 4 games before her at-the-time 40-year old body succumbed to injuries. Shortly after missing more games from her third injury that season, Cooper announced her final retirement from basketball. Life after hoops has found her in Houston taking care of her son Tyquon, six nieces and nephews, writing a book (She Got Game released in 2000) as well as trying her hand as both WNBA coach and a coach in the collegiate ranks.
Cynthia Cooper Links From our forum: WNBA All-Decade Team, Women’s Basketball Forum, WNBA Forum Articles and other resources: Cynthia Cooper Profile (Wikipedia), Cooper’s return highlights Comet’s camp (WNBA, 2003), Photographic Memories (WNBA, 2004), Cynthia Cooper Announces (Second) Retirement (WNBA.com, 2004), USC To Honor 1983 and 1984 Women’s Basketball NCAA Champions (USC CSTV.com, 2002),Have you Seen Her?: Cynthia Cooper Interview (WNBA, 2006), Cynthia Cooper Retirement Press Conference Transcript (WNBA), USC Cynthia Cooper Alumni Profile (USC.edu)
