A group of the WNBA’s top young players gathered for a spirited practice at the Liberty’s training center in Tarrytown, New York, on Friday. The players, under the watchful eye of Los Angeles Sparks coach Michael Cooper, were members of the WNBA Select Team. The team would to head to Moscow the next day for the inaugural FIBA Women’s World Cup 2003, scheduled from October 14-19 in Samara, Russia.

The WNBA Select Team, composed primarily of first and second year players who have already made a significant impact on their teams and in the league, was to match-up against top women’s teams from diverse locations including the Korea Basketball League, Australia, Brazil, France, and host Russia.

Sharp’s teammates at the Friday practice included Cheryl Ford and Ruth Riley of the WNBA Champion Detroit Shock, Nikki Teasley, of the Los Angeles Sparks, Marie Ferdinand, of the San Antonio Silver Stars, and Adrian Williams, of the Phoenix Mercury, among others.

Before departing for Moscow, Sharp also needed to finalize plans for overseas play in the off-season. It appeared likely she would head off to Greece or Lithuania shortly after the WNBA Select Team returned from Russia. If all of this international planning was daunting for the 22 year-old Columbus, Ohio native who had never yet traveled outside of the United States, Sharp wasn’t showing any signs.

Instead, with a 2-hour break scheduled between the end of Friday’s practice and a farewell dinner for the team, K.B. Sharp headed to Harlem for a visit to the after-school program at PS 96.

Liberty Cheering for Children, a division of Madison Square Garden’s Cheering for Children Foundation, has provided support to the after-school programs of New York City Public Schools for more than 5 years.

The team has offered special support in creating Liberty Cheering for Children clubs at various after-school programs. On this fall afternoon, more than 40 after-school students from grades 3-5 gathered in the gym at PS 96 to meet with K.B. Sharp.

K.B. described her early days as a student growing up in Ohio, including her start in basketball beginning in the 2nd grade, and stressed the importance good study habits. She described the important role that her family has played in her development.

The students proved well prepared when K.B. offered to answer questions. One young student wondered how K.B. had selected number 32 for her uniform. “That’s Magic Johnson,” K.B. responded. “The first time I ever saw him play on TV, I said ‘wow,’ I want to do that!”

Another student asked what career K.B. might have chosen if basketball hadn’t been an option. “I think I would have considered becoming a lawyer,” she answered.

After a student asked, “How did you learn to shoot so well?” K.B. offered an impromptu shooting clinic, with students eagerly lining up behind her to practice, after her demonstration.

Before long, it was time for K.B. to head back to Tarrytown, in preparation for the first overseas trip of her life. But, as she headed outside to East 120th Street, it was PS 96 that stayed on her mind. “Those kids were amazing,” she said. “When can we go back?”

The October games in Russia will serve as a test competition for the World Cup, which is expected to be conducted as a two-round tournament in the spring and fall of each year beginning in 2004.

K.B. was thrilled to have been selected to participate in this year’s tournament. Asked by nyliberty.com whether she would want to play on the spring 2004 squad, K.B. replied, “I would love to. I think anybody would be honored to play with a team of WNBA players such as this one.” K.B. Sharp’s fans here in New York, including 40 students from PS 96, will look forward to learning the results of the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2003.

Sharp shows the kids how to shoot.

K.B. watches the kids shoot.