Sheryl Swoopes, an American former professional basketball player, engaged her longtime friend Chris Unclesho in 2011 and married on July 21, 2017.
Previously, she married her high-school sweetheart, Jordan Eric Jackson, from June 1995 to 1999. They have a son, Jordan, who is named after Michael Jordan.
Sheryl Denise Swoopes played basketball with her three older brothers and began competing in a local children’s league called Little Dribblers at 7.
She graduated from Brownfield High School, and the University of Texas recruited her. However, she transferred to South Plains College without playing a game.
After two years with the South Plains, she transferred to Texas Tech, where she won the NCAA women’s basketball championship in 1993.
Moreover, at 22, Sheryl won the 1993 Naismith College Player of the Year award, and the Women’s Sports Foundation named her the 1993 Sportswoman of the Year.
The Houston Comets recruited her during the 1997 inaugural season, and she accumulated over 2,000 career points, 500 career rebounds, 300 career assists, and 200 career steals in 11 years.
From 1997 to 2000, she was a member of the Houston Comets and won the first four championships in WNBA history. She is the first player in WNBA history to record a triple-double in the regular season and the playoffs.
The Seattle Storm signed her on March 3, 2008, but waived her on February 3, 2009.
Sheryl Swoopes’s Husband Prefers To Stay Away From The Spotlight
Sheryl Swoopes is a household name in basketball, but her husband, Chris Unclesho, has chosen a quieter life away from the spotlight.
Despite being married to a sports icon, he has maintained a low profile, focusing on his career and family. He is a successful businessman and operates a trucking company.
Sheryl Swoopes and Chris Unclesho’s romance began in 2000 and got engaged in 2011.
However, they took their time before officially tying the knot, finally exchanging vows in an intimate ceremony on July 21, 2017.
Unlike many celebrity couples, Swoopes and Unclesho have kept their relationship private. They were often spotted together at various events, which showed their enduring bond.
Chris never sought fame but focused on his career and supported his wife. Their relationship represents a lasting, supportive partnership built on mutual respect and privacy.
Before Sheryl’s relationship with Chris, she married her high school sweetheart, Jordan Eric Jackson, from June 1995 to 1999.
They welcomed their son, Jordan Jackson, just two months before she made her WNBA debut in 1997. Jordan followed in his mother’s footsteps and pursued basketball, continuing the family’s athletic legacy.
Sheryl Swoopes Was Gay And Dated Alisa Scott
Basketball legend Sheryl Swoopes announced that she was gay in October 2005, becoming the most recognizable athlete in a team sport to come out at the time.
Her decision was groundbreaking in sports, challenging stereotypes and paving the way for greater LGBTQ+ acceptance in athletics.
Before her announcement, Sheryl had already cemented her legacy as one of the greatest women’s basketball players ever. Her dominance on the court earned her the nickname “the female Michael Jordan.”
My reason for coming out isn’t to be some sort of hero. I’m just at a point in my life where I’m tired of having to pretend to be somebody I’m not. I’m tired of having to hide my feelings about the person I care about. About the person I love.
Sheryl Swoopes
When she came out, she was one of the few high-profile athletes in a team sport to identify as gay openly.
Her announcement met mixed reactions; some praised her courage, while others criticized her. Despite the challenges, she remained a role model for LGBTQ+ athletes, proving that success and authenticity could coexist.
It doesn’t change who I am. I can’t help who I fall in love with. No one can. Discovering I’m gay just sort of happened much later in life. Being intimate with [Alisa] or any other woman never entered my mind. At the same time, I’m a firm believer that when you fall in love with somebody, you can’t control that.
Sheryl Swoopes
The Equality Forum named her an LGBT History Month Icon in 2016.
She was in a relationship with Alisa Scott, a former basketball player and Houston Comets assistant coach. They raised Sheryl’s son Jordan.
Sadly, they separated in 2011.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Sheryl Swoopes, the daughter of Billy Ray Swoopes and Louise Swoopes, was born on March 25, 1971, in Brownfield, Texas.
- In 1993, she won the female Associated Press Athlete of the Year award, the Honda Sports Award, and the WBCA Player of the Year award.
- She was an assistant basketball coach at Mercer Island High School in 2010 and became head coach of the Loyola University Chicago women’s basketball team in 2013.
- Her net worth is estimated at $300 thousand.
