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When Swin Cash announced this would be her final WNBA season in early June, she described it as one of her "lifetimes" coming to an end. After 19 seasons of college and professional basketball, it was time for a new chapter.
Cash played at UConn from 1998-2002. She helped build the foundation for what would become the premier basketball program in the country, winning the program’s second and third national championship in 2000 and 2002. In 2002, she was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player, and was later selected No. 2 overall in the WNBA Draft by the Detroit Shock.
She found almost immediate success at the professional level, winning a WNBA title in her second season. In 2008, the Shock traded Cash to the Seattle Storm. Two years later, Cash led her new team to a WNBA title, securing her second professional championship. Recently, Cash became the 14th WNBA player to score 5,000 career points, becoming just the second player ever to amass 5,000 points, 2,000 rebounds, and 1,000 assists.
In both 2004 and 2012, Cash was a member of the US National Team for the Olympics in Athens and London, respectively. In total, Cash won two championships at every level she played in: Collegiately, professionally, and internationally. I guess you can say all she does is (S)win.
With her basketball journey coming to a close, Cash is focused on enjoying the moment. She does admit, however, that she finds herself reflecting back on her career.
When her final game comes to a close, Swin Cash will be remembered for many things: The way she could drive through the lane so smoothly, reaching the pinnacle of her game so many times, and her leadership. But her toughness stands out above all. She was able to make it out of the projects in her hometown of McKeesport, Penn. to make a successful life on her own. She dealt with a public dispute with her coach, and most significantly, beat cancer and returned to the game.
After her playing days are over, Cash will stay close to the game as a broadcaster at ESPN. She’ll never be able to give up basketball completely, but at least she'll be going out on her own terms.