Nike ATHLETE Event

Noel Vasquez

On Monday, November 13, 2007, the Los Angeles Sparks teamed up with Nike and USA Basketball to host a fun, competitive, star-studded event. Some of the most celebrated women’s basketball players in the world including Olympic Gold Medalists Lisa Leslie, Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Swin Cash, basketball hall of famer and Olympic Gold Medalist Cheryl Miller, and WNBA president Donna Orender came together to celebrate “The Athlete Within All of Us,” during a hoops-filled event with over 300 community youth.

To kick off the event, the Los Angeles Sparks, with the help of head coach Michael Cooper and star players, Temeka Johnson, Sidney Spencer and Jessica Moore, hosted two back-to-back clinics for local middle and high school girls.

Guests then heard from the USA Basketball Women’s national team as they participated in a question and answer session moderated by Cheryl Miller. The team is currently on an eight-game, coast-to-coast college tour that had them playing last night, November 13 at USC.

Noel Vasquez

Following the Q & A session, guests were entertained with a competitive celebrity basketball game featuring Co-Owner of the Los Angeles Sparks, Carla Christofferson, WNBA president Donna Orender, film actress and “Quinceañera“ star Emily Rios, former Women’s National Soccer Team World Cup Champion

A cocktail reception and silent auction to support Nike’s signature community effort, “Let Me Play”, which builds safe places for play and expands the company’s commitment to physical fitness for youth closed the night’s event.