Cynthia Cooper Cynthia Cooper, born in 1963, American professional basketball player who was one of the stars of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) from 1997 to 2000.

Cynthia Cooper Cynthia Cooper, born in 1963, American professional basketball player who was one of the stars of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) from 1997 to 2000. As a college player Cooper helped lead the University of Southern California (USC) to national championships in 1983 and 1984. More than a decade later she led the WNBA's Houston Comets to four league championships (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000). Cooper was born in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in Los Angeles, California. Although she did not play organized basketball until she was 16, she averaged 45 points per game during her senior year of high school. Cooper, who played guard, received a scholarship to play at USC. There she was a key member of the Lady Trojan squads that won national championships in 1983 and 1984. At that time the United States did not have a women's professional basketball league, so after the 1986 collegiate season, Cooper played basketball in Europe. She spent the 1986-87 season in Spain and then played ten seasons in Italy (1988-1997). During that time Cooper also represented the United States in several international competitions. She won gold medals with the U.S. national team at the 1987 Pan American Games in Indianapolis, Indiana, and at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea. Cooper also played on the squad that won the bronze medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. In 1997 the WNBA played its first season, and Cooper joined the league as a member of the Houston Comets. The Comets quickly established themselves as the league's best team, winning the WNBA title in 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000. Cooper provided veteran leadership for the team, especially during important games. She led the league in scoring in each of its first three years, and she was named the WNBA most valuable player (MVP) in 1997 and 1998. Cooper also earned MVP honors in all four of the Comets' WNBA Finals victories. She retired after the 2000 season and became head coach of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury. In 2003 Cooper returned as a player for the Comets, but appeared in only four games before an injury ended her comeback. In 2004 Cooper retired from professional basketball, and in 2005 became head coach for the women's basketball team at Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.