• Slug: Sports–Cheryl Miller homecoming. 873 words.
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By Aya Abdeen
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – A legend who made an immense impact on women’s basketball walked inside the Footprint Center building just as she had done thousands of times before, but this time, she entered the doors as head coach of Team WNBA All-Stars.

Cheryl Miller was the first general manager and head coach for the Phoenix Mercury from the WNBA’s inaugural season in 1997 until she resigned following the 2000 season. She led the Mercury to its first appearance in the WNBA Finals in the league’s second season.

As a Ring of Honor member, Miller’s name is on a banner hanging in the Footprint rafters forever.

“How cool is Cheryl Miller?” Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi asked reporters Friday. “You’re around a lot of people in this game. A lot of people take, and she always gives. She’s always giving to this game, the younger generation, (and) players that have been in this league for a long time. She always gives her love, her passion, her energy. I just love being around (her).”

As women’s basketball continues to grow, legends like Miller are recognized for their impact as players and coaches. In college, she led the University of Southern California to back-to-back NCAA Championships in 1983 and 1984 and was named the Most Outstanding Player.

Miller was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1995 and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame four years later.

Now, with a sold-out crowd of 18,422 expected at the Footprint Center to watch Team WNBA take on the U.S. Women’s National Team Saturday night, Miller’s legend is reaching new heights.

For Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark, Miller’s presence on the sidelines as head coach in Clark’s first game as an All-Star is “super special.”

Miller found out about her coaching role in the All-Star game a few days before the event. It was a meaningful return to her roots in the league.

“Well, it’s obviously a first for me to be coaching without salary, so that’s the fun part,” Miller said. “I found out about this less than a week ago and to come back home just feels like my life is coming full circle. Getting the opportunity to coach these great players and be a part of the (WNBA) and again to be back in my backyard in Phoenix. It’s amazing.”

Adrian Williams-Strong will join Miller’s staff as an assistant coach. She played for the Phoenix Mercury from 2000 to 2004 and was named an All-Star in 2003.

When Miller walked into the newly-opened Phoenix Mercury practice facility on Thursday, her mind was filled with memories of the players she coached in the early days, such as Michele Timms, Bridget Pettis and Jennifer Gillom. She envisioned them being there while walking on the courts that this week were named after Taurasi, the Mercury star who will be playing in a record sixth Olympic Games for the U.S. women’s team in Paris later this month.

“Just imagine them look into our right, and I saw Jennifer Gillom,” Miller said. “We’re looking to my left. I got Michele Timms and then in front of me, I got Bridget Pettis … This is the house that they built and a community that supported and opened their arms to us. We talked about and mentioned legacy that facilities for everybody that came through, who started at the very beginning, and were a part of the creation of X Factor (the Mercury’s vibrant fan base). That was my initial thought.”

Seattle Storm forward and WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike finds it inspiring to see past and present players getting the recognition they deserve. The former MVP and player for Team WNBA emphasized two words: respect and honor.

“Having a legend like that, to be able to not even just coach us with a coach of people is really historical,” Ogwumike said. “She’s been there (for a long time), she’s played with and has coached the best. Being able to celebrate her while also playing and competing at a very high level against the Olympic team and also with all these amazing All-Stars. It’s a perfect way to respect and honor her as well.”

As Team WNBA takes on the Cheryl Reeve-coached U.S. Women’s National Team on a historical Saturday night in front of a sold-out crowd, soaking it all in is what matters to teammates.

“It’s dope,” Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale said. “You grow up watching players like (Miller) just highlights. … How she plays the game, and she’s a very smart woman, so just being able to be coached by her even though this is a smaller scale. It’s only one game but just being able to kind of soak in.”

As the legends congregate in the Footprint Center Saturday night for the WNBA All-Star game not only will their accolades be recognized, but also their everlasting impact on women’s basketball as the league continues to build on its success. Miller, one of the sport’s pioneers, is “home” again, with a sideline presence as bright as any of the players’.

“We always love seeing the vets and the former players come in and so I’m just really grateful that I’m here to experience it,” Ogwumike said.

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