The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) has been a pioneer in women's sports since its inception in 1997. The league has shattered barriers and made history in numerous ways, and it continues to be a source of inspiration for women and girls around the world.
Here are some of the WNBA's most notable firsts:
**First WNBA game**
On June 21, 1997, the New York Liberty defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 67-57 in the first-ever WNBA game. Teresa Weatherspoon of the Liberty scored the first points in WNBA history.
[Image of First WNBA game between New York Liberty and Los Angeles Sparks]
**First WNBA draft**
The first WNBA draft was held on April 24, 1997, at the NBA Draft Lottery in Secaucus, New Jersey. The New York Liberty selected Chamique Holdsclaw with the first overall pick.
[Image of First WNBA draft]
**First WNBA MVP**
Cynthia Cooper of the Houston Comets won the first WNBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in 1997. She averaged 22.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game that season.
[Image of Cynthia Cooper, first WNBA MVP]
**First WNBA Defensive Player of the Year**
Teresa Weatherspoon of the New York Liberty won the first WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 1997. She led the league in steals with 2.3 per game.
[Image of Teresa Weatherspoon, first WNBA Defensive Player of the Year]
**First WNBA Rookie of the Year**
Tracy Reid of the Charlotte Sting won the first WNBA Rookie of the Year award in 1997. She averaged 13.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game that season.
[Image of Tracy Reid, first WNBA Rookie of the Year]
**First WNBA championship**
The Houston Comets won the first WNBA championship in 1997, defeating the New York Liberty in the WNBA Finals. Cynthia Cooper was named the Finals MVP.
**First WNBA All-Star Game**
The first WNBA All-Star Game was held on July 28, 1997, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The West defeated the East 79-61.
**First WNBA player to have a sneaker deal**
Sheryl Swoopes of the Houston Comets signed the first sneaker deal for a WNBA player with Nike in 1997.
**First WNBA player in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame**
Cynthia Cooper became the first WNBA player to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.
[Image of Cynthia Cooper, first WNBA player in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]
These are just a few of the many firsts that the WNBA has achieved in its history. The league continues to break down barriers and inspire women and girls around the world.
