Teresa Weatherspoon

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Teresa Gaye Weatherspoon (born on December 8, 1965 in Pineland, Texas) is an American Women's National Basketball Association player who plays for the Los Angeles Sparks. One of the original players of the WNBA, in 1997 she joined the New York Liberty in the WNBA's inaugural season. A talented ball-handler and charismatic leader, her energetic play quickly endeared herself to the fans and media in New York. Up until the 2003 season, she had 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.

Personal

Teresa was born to Charles and Rowena Weatherspoon in Pineland, Texas. Her father ,Charles Sr., played minor league baseball for the Minnesota Twins, and holds the record for the most grand slams (3) in a minor league game. She 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.

Despite her last name, she is not related to Houston Rockets forward Clarence Weatherspoon.

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 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

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Women's National Basketball Association \| WNBA's All-Decade Team
Sue Bird \| Tamika Catchings \| Cynthia Cooper \| Yolanda Griffith \| Lauren Jackson \| Lisa Leslie \| Katie Smith \| Dawn Staley \| Sheryl Swoopes \| Tina Thompson Ruthie Bolton \| Chamique Holdsclaw \| Ticha Penicherio \| Diana Taurasi \| Teresa Weatherspoon (Honorable mention)

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