The iconic figure in the world of Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and triple Olympic Gold champion, Sheryl Swoopes, recently shared a deeply personal account of her association with former colleague and close friend, Kim Perrot, an essential part of the Houston Comets’ squad. Perrot, remembered for her formidable defense, paramount leadership, indomitable perseverance, and engaging persona, was a mere 5’5″ in height but her influence over the game was colossal.
The Comets’ roster, studded with stars like Cynthia Cooper, Tina Thompson and, Swoopes, had Perrot’s name shining bright as their formidable starting point guard. However, destiny had painful plans. After a shocking diagnosis of lung cancer in February 1999, Perrot left the world and its beloved sport in August of the same year, when she was just 32.
Her untimely demise came about merely a week prior to the commencement of the 1999 WNBA playoffs. Swoopes painstakingly described the sequence of events leading up to Perrot’s diagnosis in the 1999 season. She recounted their surprises and concerns when Perrot’s absence at training sessions became a pattern and her noticeable weight loss was evident.
Swoopes, a mother, and legendary athlete felt a palpable shift in Perrot’s demeanor during that challenging season. The head coach of the Comets, Van Chancellor, held the burden of delivering the devastating news of Perrot’s passing to the team. As Swoopes depicts, the loss shook her personally, branding it as one of the most severe trials she has ever encountered.
Reflecting on the bonds formed on the basketball court, Swoopes recognized Perrot as more than a teammate. Perrot’s presence in her life was akin to a sister’s, having an immense impact on her personal and professional journey. Swoopes expressed, for her, basketball transcended the confines of a game, particularly during the time of this loss.
A six-time all-star and thrice-receiving of the league’s most valuable player title, Swoopes revealed the poignancy felt during their game against the Los Angeles Sparks. Although played as scheduled, the game post learning of Perrot’s death, had an unfamiliar ambiance.
Despite the immense grief, Swoopes, together with the Comets, went further ahead to claim their third successive WNBA championship. This victory was specially dedicated to Perrot, ushering in the heartfelt campaign ‘#3 for #10.’
In her reflections, Swoopes underscored Perrot’s unwavering determination throughout her association with the league. She recalled how no amount of denials or setbacks deterred Perrot from pursuing her passion. Swoopes added that such indomitable spirit from a colleague, a ‘sister’, caused her to reassess her own challenges and trials.
Perrot’s fighting spirit resonated well with Swoopes, who admired her consistent forcefulness until her last breath. Dealing with such a loss, witnessing it, and living through it was an incredibly daunting experience for Swoopes.
However, despite the tough battle, Swoopes considers herself fortunate to have shared the court with Perrot for a significant period. The camaraderie they nurtured on and off-court left a profound impact, shaping Swoopes’ perspectives of the sport and life alike.
The post Sheryl Swoopes Reflects on the Impact of Kim Perrot appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
