50 year old Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman makes Shock-ing comeback
July 24, 2008 – The stroke is still there for Nancy Lieberman.
With five players handed league suspensions after Tuesday’s scuffle against the Los Angeles Sparks, the Shock went out and signed Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman to a seven- day contract. Lieberman had been the general manager and head coach of the Shock from 1998-2000, and is currently a television analyst.
At 50 (yikes) years old — she celebrated the big bday three weeks ago — Lieberman became the oldest player to suit up in league history. In her first (and likely only) game as a Detroit player, the Brooklyn native went 0-for-1 from the floor and collected two assists in her nine minutes of play.
The Houston Comets went on to defeat the undermanned Shock 79-61. Despite the Shock slump, Lieberman played admirably and showed that she’s truly “the best dame athlete.” For all you youngsters out there, next time you think you can’t do it, think again.
Lieberman was a standout for Far Rockaway High School in Queens, and played on the U.S. women’s team for the 1976 Olympics and at age 18 became the youngest basketball player in Olympic history to earn a gold medal. She went on to star at Old Dominion University from 1976-80 winning two national championships then performed in the short-lived Women’s Pro Basketball League.
Lieberman also broke ground in 1986, becoming the first female to play in a men’s league when she took the floor for Springfield of the USBL. She was originally drafted by the Phoenix Mercury in the 1997 draft, spending one season with the club–becoming the oldest (then) player in league history at 39 years, 54 days old.
Over 17 professional seasons, she averaged 15.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game. And with her latest foray into the game, the legend continues.
Basketball Briefs
July 24, 2008 – With so much happening in the WNBA this week, here’s a quick wrap-up.
Shock signs 50-year-old Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman – The Detroit Shock came up with a way to distract some attention away from their skirmish earlier this week. For one game at least. The team signed 50-year-old former coach Nancy Lieberman to a seven-day contract and she’s expected to play against Houston tonight.
WNBA hands down suspensions – in response to the events at Tuesday’s game between the Detroit Shock and the Los Angeles Sparks, the WNBA announced penalties including Shock forward Plenette Pierson who has been suspended for four games for her actions that initiated and escalated the altercation.
Cheryl Ford to miss remainder of 2008 WNBA season with knee injury - Shock forward Cheryl Ford, who appeared to be injured while trying to restrain teammate Plenette Pierson during a confrontation Tuesday, is out for the season because of an anterior cruciate ligament tear in her right knee. The Shock made the announcement following an MRI exam Wednesday morning.
WNBA to take mid-season break for Olympics - With so many players involved in the upcoming Olympics, the WNBA will take a mid-season break to prepare for the Summer Games. The break begins Monday, July 28th and the league will resume play a month later.
