Sheryl Swoopes

SHERYL SWOOPES – INDUCTED 2008 - HALL OF FAME

For Sheryl Swoopes, the road to becoming one of the world’s top basketball players ran straight through Levelland and South Plains College. From 1989–1991, Swoopes helped the Lady Texans to 52 victories, the NJCAA Region V championship in 1990, and a sixth-place finish at the NJCAA National Tournament the same year. Swoopes twice was named an NJCAA All-American. “Coming to SPC prepared me for the rest of my life,” Swoopes said.

“It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. South Plains has meant a lot to me.” In 64 games at SPC, Swoopes established 15 school records, 14 of which still stand. The all-time leading scorer at SPC shared MVP honors with the WJCAC in 1990 and held the conference MVP honor alone in 1991. Swoopes went on to help Texas Tech win the NCAA National Championship in 1993 and then led the Houston Comets to four straight WNBA championships from 1997–2000. She has been named WNBA MVP three times, the most by any player. Swoopes has also earned three Olympic gold medals, helping the United States team to titles in 1996, 2000, and 2004.