Sheryl Swoopes admits to nerves over return

SAN ANTONIO — The question is answered before it's really asked.

"Yes, I'm nervous," Storm forward Sheryl Swoopes said quietly.

It seems unimaginable. Swoopes, the first player signed by the WNBA in 1997, having jitters before what will be the 274th game of her pro career. Yet, in all her global travels through basketball — winning Olympic gold in three different countries and always being recognized as one of the game's elite players — Swoopes has never experienced this situation.

Swoopes, a native Texan, will travel back to Houston, where the Storm will play on Saturday, after playing at San Antonio today. Houston is where Swoopes cultivated her fame, and she'll be wearing a uniform of a team not located in the state for once and proudly touting her lesbian family.

Swoopes came out as a lesbian in October 2005, after winning her third MVP award.

But from that point, Swoopes — who had helped the Comets win the first four WNBA titles — was being phased out in Houston in favor of All-Stars Tina Thompson and Michelle Snow. There were injuries during the 2006 and 2007 seasons (she missed 31 games with a back injury last season), but some have suggested Swoopes coming out had something to do with her diminished role.

Swoopes underwent surgery in October, and signed with the Storm in March. Now Swoopes, 37, is playing at a high level again.

So, back to her son Jordan's question, "Are you nervous?"

Swoopes' reply was surprisingly honest.

"I am," she said.

Jordan, 10, said, "I'm nervous for you a little bit, I don't want them to boo you."

"I can't allow that to take over and I get out there and I just look a mess," Swoopes said later. "I hadn't thought about it until this week.

"But the [Houston] fans didn't get to see me go out on top and I really want to go in and show them how much I appreciate how much they supported me throughout my career. ... This is the first time I've been on the other side."

Swoopes entered training camp struggling on the court and needing hours of physical treatment before and after practice. Before Sunday's game against the Shock, Detroit coach Bill Laimbeer told Storm coach Brian Agler his problem is that he has "old" players.

Still, the Storm has pieced together a franchise-best 7-3 record, led by the play of two-time MVP Lauren Jackson (19.9 points) and trade pickup Swin Cash (13.9).

Swoopes has contributed, averaging 8.6 points and 4.4 rebounds.

Off the court, life is coming together for Swoopes. She found a place in Kirkland for her family, including longtime partner Alisa Scott, a former Comets assistant. They have noticed immediately the changes from their Texas home.

Swoopes hasn't done much in the Seattle lesbian community, aside from being a presenter at the Greater Seattle Business Association's scholarship awards dinner in May.

But she plans to host a lesbian-friendly Storm party this summer. Swoopes also wants to get involved with organizations helping teens deal with their sexuality.

Swoopes, who says she felt stifled in a three-year marriage to her high-school sweetheart, said she announced she had fallen in love with Scott because she was "tired of pretending to be somebody I'm not." Swoopes says she is living a "happier and freer" life because she's finally able to be who she wants to be.

She enters the two-game trip to Texas after scoring a season-high 17 points, including a game-saving three-pointer, in a win against Phoenix on Wednesday.

"As much as I love Texas, there are definitely some things that I would love to see changed," Swoopes said. "Having been there all my life and having come out, I was happy about that, but even then it was like, 'OK, I've still got to watch the places I go.' If you're in the Montrose area, which is considered the gay area of Houston, then you can be yourself. ... I feel like people are OK [in Seattle] with you being who you are — gay, straight, black, white, orange, green — it doesn't matter. Here [Seattle], everybody lives their own life.

"That's what I love. I can be myself. What I do on the basketball court is one thing, but when I leave the court I want to go home where I'm a mom, a partner, and a friend. I want to be able to show that. Since coming here, I feel like I've opened up a little bit more and I'm just happy."

Swoopes' name still is mentioned in ads by Comets owners, but coach Karleen Thompson says the team has moved on from the Swoopes era.

"We have a lot of new faces and are really young, but the atmosphere is really good," Tina Thompson said. "You can tell Sheryl is happy in Seattle and we're happy for her."

Jayda Evans: 206-464-2067