This year’s WNBA Finals has not only been an opportunity to witness the Minnesota Lynx and Los Angeles Sparks compete for a championship. It has not only been a chance for league president Lisa Borders to have her take on the state of the league. It has also been an opportunity for the league to pay honor to its 20 years of existence by honoring its “Top 20@20.”
The WNBA’s 20 greatest were named earlier this season. They are: Seimone Augustus, Sue Bird, Swin Cash, Tamika Catchings, Cynthia Cooper, Yolanda Griffifth, Becky Hammon, Lauren Jackson, Lisa Leslie, Maya Moore, Deanna Nolan, Candace Parker, Ticha Penicheiro, Cappie Pondexter, Katie Smith, Sheryl Swoopes, Diana Taurasi, Tina Thompson, Teresa Weatherspoon, and Lindsay Whalen.
Today’s #WNBA20at20 presented by @Verizon halftime ceremony! pic.twitter.com/yE8BgiXvbe
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 9, 2016
At halftime of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, a ceremony was held to honor the league’s 20 greatest players. Borders began the proceedings with some opening remarks:
“On the court, they have taken the game to new heights. Their athleticism, their competitive spirit, and their relentless pursuit of excellence is amazing. And equally important, off the court, they have been pillars of the community and stewards of social change. And let’s not forget that in the process, they have become role models for little girls and little boys all across the globe.”
Griffith, Nolan, Jackson, and Taurasi were unable to attend, but the others that managed to be part of the processions were presented with special commemorative rings honoring their status as one of the 20 greatest of all time.
There was also a video montage that aired as part of the proceedings that looked back on the WNBA’s 20 years with memorable moments from the league’s past.
Prior to the ceremony, many of the players took part in media availability and gave their thoughts on the honor:
Becky Hammon: “I feel extremely blessed. I feel really fortunate to come into the league when I did. I played against Sue Bird, Maya Moore, and Diana Taurasi. I played against everybody. It’s exciting to be here and reconnect with all these women.”
Sue Bird: “It’s obviously a tremendous honor. You look around the room right now and see some of the players in here and some of the names – these women are some of the best basketball players to have ever played. They help start the league in a lot of ways. To know that I’m in that group is very much surreal. It’s just incredible.”
Swin Cash: It feels pretty good. To finish out your career and be in a position to look around the room with players that you once looked up to when you watched and also players you played with and against. Now, to finish out your career and be in this elite company has been pretty special.
Tamika Catchings: It’s a blessing to be part of a group that will forever go down in history. Hopefully, we’ll be going into year 25, year 30, year 35, year 40, and just continue to celebrate the league.
Cynthia Cooper: It’s amazing. It’s always surprising to me how much talent is currently in the WNBA and was in the WNBA. I love the fact that we can almost reunite and kind of interact with each other. I’m truly honored because sometimes, some of the older players—the pioneers—get let off certain lists. But I’m truly honored to be a part of this top 20.
Lisa Leslie: “Being a part of the WNBA from the beginning, it’s never really felt like my basketball career, as much as it was to protect the platform, to be a role model, and do the best that I could to reach fans and grow the game. I think I’ve always had that in my mind more than what legacy I’m leaving.”
Tina Thompson: “For some of us, it’s our third time being honored as a top player in the WNBA. It’s amazing considering that there have been so many great players that have passed through the league, to be separated from a group of women that have consistently been considered the best of the best and then to be looked at as the top tier of that group is awesome.”
Katie Smith: “It’s a huge honor to be with a group like this, to be able to reminisce with this group, and not just the battles that we had on the court. It’s just an appreciation for what we did, how hard we worked, and how consistent all of us were over our careers. It’s truly an honor to be able to be recognized among your peers and obviously the fans.”
Cappie Pondexter: “It means a great deal because all the people I’m surrounded by here are everyone that I grew up watching, when the WNBA first started. Just to be around all these players today feels surreal but I’m very appreciative at the same time. It’s a huge honor.”
Sheryl Swoopes: “Somebody asked me if it gets old. I don’t know how it could. This is a great group of not just basketball players but women. It’s an honor to be in the Top 20. There has been some great talent that’s come through this league. For me to be in this group, it’s an honor.”
Ticha Penicheiro: “Coming from a small country like Portugal, I had never thought about playing in the WNBA. To be here today amongst greatness coming from Portugal is really unbelievable. I did have great teammates and coaches. They made me look really good. I put a lot of hard work into the game with dedication, but it’s definitely a great honor to be here. It’s hard. Sometimes, I pinch myself. It’s surreal.”
Teresa Witherspoon: “Hopefully everyone can look at us and see an empowering group of women. We wanted to reach greatness. Every day, it was about excellence when we walked out there. It was about change. It was about being different and standing up for what we believe. It’s powerful.”
