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Swoopes thanks mother in emotional induction speech

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Sheryl Swoopes fought back tears as she read a poem to her late mother while accepting induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

The three-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time WNBA Most Valuable Player was part of a Hall of Fame class that also included longtime official Sally Bell, former Iowa women’s athletic director Christine Grant, Middle Tennessee coach Rick Insell, former Southern Connecticut University coach Louise O’Neal and former Connecticut star Kara Wolters.

Swoopes acknowledged Saturday that the honor felt ”bittersweet” because her mother wasn’t with her. Swoopes’ mom, Ida Louise Swoopes, died of colon cancer on March 14.