Thursday, July 24, 2008

50-year-old Baby Boomer Jock Makes a Comeback

The Detroit Shock Women's Pro Basketball team signed 50-year-old Nancy Lieberman, a Hall of Famer and one of their former coaches, to a seven-day contract and she's expected to play TONIGHT in Houston.

Lieberman became the oldest player in WNBA history at 39 while playing for the Phoenix Mercury in 1997, the league's inaugural season. During her professional playing career, she averaged 15.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists,

Prior to her pro career, she played at Old Dominion University from 1976-80, helping the school win two national titles, and played for the U.S. Olympic team in 1976 and 1980.

A spot opened up for Lieberman on the Detroit Shock team when standout forward Cheryl Ford suffered a season-ending knee injury Tuesday night when the Shock, assistant coach Rick Mahorn and the Los Angeles Sparks were involved in a fight.

Lieberman was the first woman to play professionally with men as part of the USBL's Springfield Fame in 1986.

She was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame three years later.

All I have to say is you go baby boomer mama!

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