Four Comets, one a retiree, voted onto All-Decade Team

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Cynthia Cooper became the face of the WNBA after leading the Houston Comets to four consecutive titles, one reason she is the only retired player named to the league's All-Decade Team.

As part of its 10th anniversary celebration, the WNBA on Tuesday announced the 10 players voted to the All-Decade Team as selected in voting by fans, media and current players and coaches.

"My time in the WNBA was short," said Cooper, who averaged 21 points in 124 games in five-plus seasons. "It was successful, but it was short. So for me to be honored in this way ... having the fans still remember me, the players recognize the contributions I made, I feel very fortunate and blessed."

Three other Comets were named to the team: Sheryl Swoopes, Tina Thompson and Dawn Staley, who joined Houston last season.

Though it would be tough to argue against the players selected, as with any list, several recognizable players did not crack the top 10. Sacramento Monarchs point guard Ticha Penicheiro and former New York Liberty standout Teresa Weatherspoon, who led the Liberty to four Finals appearances, were among the more noticeable players who received "honorable mention."

Penicheiro said she wasn't disappointed and it was just an honor to be among the 30 players nominated.

"It depends on people's perspective," said Penicheiro, the WNBA all-time assist leader with 1,612. "I've done a lot for the league, leading in assists, and I've won a championship. But if you look at the younger players, Diana Taurasi or even a Sue Bird, they haven't been in the league that long but they have made great contributions. I don't control the voting. I just go out and play the game."

Doris Burke, an ABC/ESPN analyst who covered the Liberty during Weatherspoon's career, said "Spoon" deserved to be on the list.

"The person who stands out in my mind that didn't make it would be Teresa Weatherspoon," Burke said.

"People may look at me as being biased, but the reality is, having watched the way fans reacted to her at a time when the league needed personalities to sell it, Teresa Weatherspoon, a two-time defensive player of the year, embodied all the kinds of things you want one of your key-market players to be.

"She was enthusiastic, on a winning a team and exuded such joy and passion. Her passion was infectious, and she was a big part of the driving force in getting this league recognized."

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