| |
 Sparks forward McGee retiring
Posted: Friday May 21, 1999 12:06 PM
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) -- Los Angeles Sparks forward/center Pam McGee announced her retirement Thursday, ending a career which saw her play on the 1984 gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic team and help lead Southern California to two NCAA championships. McGee, 36, was offered the choice of being waived or retiring, according to a Sparks spokeswoman. With the Sparks drafting center Clarisse Machanguana and forward La'Keshia Frett and signing centers Nina Bjedov and Tiffani Johnson, McGee was expected to have a difficult time making the roster. "I've had an illustrious career and it is always sad when it comes to an end," McGee said. "But I'll never regret the value of my experiences with the Sparks and the WNBA. "I am proud that I have been a pioneer in the sport of women's basketball. I fell like I have helped build a bridge for the league that we have today." Acquired in a 1998 trade with Sacramento, the 6-foot-3 McGee played in all 30 games last season, starting 22, and averaging 6.8 points and 4.8 rebounds. Teaming with her twin sister Paula, along with Cynthia Cooper and Hall of Fame member Cheryl Miller, McGee averaged 18.4 points as a junior and 17.2 as a senior to help USC win NCAA championships in 1983 and 1984. Pam McGee was named the 1984 NCAA Tournament's outstanding player. A native of Flint, Mich, McGee played professionally in Brazil, France, Italy and Spain for eight seasons before the WNBA began play in 1997. McGee's retirement reduces the Sparks roster to 17. It must be at the regular-season limit of 11 by June 9 - one day before the season-opener against Sacramento at the Forum.
| |||||||||||||||||
Copyright © 1999 CNN/SI. A Time Warner Company. Terms under which this service is provided to you.
| |||||||||||||||||
