Sept. 25, 2004 — The WNBA today announced that Lynx guard Teresa Edwards is the recipient of the 2004 WNBA Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award presented by Secret. The award is named in honor of the late Kim Perrot, who helped guide the Houston Comets to its first two WNBA Championships before passing away in August of 1999 after a seven-month battle with cancer. It is designed to honor the WNBA player who best represents the ideals of sportsmanship.
"It's an honor to be recognized with the Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award," said Edwards. "I've always had a great love and respect for the game of basketball, and this award epitomizes that. My teammates and coaches have made this a very enjoyable, rewarding and successful season for not only me but for the entire organization."
Edwards, the oldest active player in the WNBA this season at 40 years of age, is the most decorated women's player in the history of USA Basketball. She is the first and only American basketball player (male or female) to compete in five Olympics. After winning her first gold medal in 1984, Edwards has compiled over 20 years of professional basketball experience. The 5-11 guard has played professionally in the American Basketball League as well as overseas in Italy, Japan, Spain and France. In 2004 with Minnesota (her second season in the WNBA), Edwards appeared in 34 regular-season games (all starts) and averaged 5.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg and 2.3 apg and a team-best 1.38 spg in 20.5 mpg.
Through the years, Edwards has been a member of 19 different USA Basketball teams that have won 14 gold, one silver and three bronze medals. She was named USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year in 1987, 1990 and 1996. She was voted by the Olympic team captains to take the Olympic oath on behalf of all Olympic competitors at the Opening Ceremonies in her hometown of Atlanta in 1996.
"I cannot think of another player that is more deserving of this award than Teresa," said Lynx head coach Suzie McConnell Serio, a two-time winner of the Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award (1998 and 2000) as a guard for the Cleveland Rockers. In addition, McConnell Serio was a teammate of Edwards at the 1988 and 1992 Olympics. "T brings out the best in her teammates and is a big part of our team's overall chemistry. She is so easy to coach because she has so much experience and holds such a deep passion and love for the game. Having her on the team is like having a coach on the floor — she understands the game and what it takes to win."
Edwards will receive a Tiffany-designed trophy and $5,000. She has also designated an additional $5,000 to go to the Beautiful Light Baptist Church in her hometown of Cairo, Ga.
2004 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award Results |
|
Player, Team |
Votes |
Teresa Edwards, Minnesota Lynx |
16 |
Allison Feaster, Charlotte Sting |
7 |
Elena Baranova, New York Liberty |
4 |
Kayte Christensen, Phoenix Mercury |
3 |
Murriel Page, Washington Mystics |
3 |
Ruth Riley, Detroit Shock |
3 |
Semeka Randall, San Antonio Silver Stars |
3 |
Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Connecticut Sun |
3 |
Lady Grooms, Sacramento Monarchs |
2 |
Stephanie White, Indiana Fever |
2 |
Tiffani Johnson, Houston Comets |
2 |
Lynx Links
Edwards photo gallery Feature story: Player and Mentor Feature story: Basketball Legend 40 Facts on Teresa's 40th Birthday Edwards' WNBA.com playerfile