Former WNBA Star Taking A Shot With The Tulsa Shock

Dave Davis, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- She's a women's basketball legend and at 40-years-old, she's giving the WNBA another try.  Sheryl Swoopes has won Olympic medals, several WNBA championships, and was one of the league's original players. 

She's been out of the league for a few years, but she's getting another shot with the Tulsa Shock. 

"She's a competitor. I like that.  I mean, she might be 40, but she doesn't play like she's 40," said Tulsa Shock coach Nolan Richardson. 

"My body doesn't necessarily feel like I'm 40," said Sheryl Swoopes. 

Whether she feels like she's 40 or not, Sheryl Swoopes is attempting to make a comeback with the Tulsa Shock this season, and even though she's been out of the WNBA for a few years, she's not calling it a comeback. 

"I never really looked at my situation like, oh, she's retired and now she's coming back.  I never really, officially retired," said Sheryl Swoopes. 

In 2008, after 10 seasons and four WNBA championships, the Seattle Storm released Swoopes because of injuries.  She was not picked up by any other team - essentially a forced retirement. 

And then, a few months ago, she got a phone call from former Olympic teammate and current Shock assistant coach Teresa Edwards. 

"She said, 'Are you done? Are you sure you're done?'" said Sheryl Swoopes. 

She's back for what could be her final season.  Her teammates are excited to have a basketball legend on their side. 

"It's Sheryl Swoopes! She could bring anything; she's got an amazing game," said Tulsa Shock top draft pick, Elizabeth Cambage. 

"She's already accomplished so much on the basketball court and, I mean, she's Sheryl Swoopes," said Juanita Ward, Tulsa Shock player. 

Sheryl's looking at her second chance as golden opportunity. 

"God has blessed me with a second chance to go out on my own terms, go out the way I want to go out and leave a great footprint on the league," said Sheryl Swoopes.

Tulsa's home opener is Friday, June 10, 2011, at Tulsa's BOK Center.