Rhonda Windham Explained

Rhonda Windham
Birth Place:The Bronx, New York
Nationality:American
Occupation:
  • Basketball player for USC
  • First general manager of the LA Sparks WNBA team
Known For:
  • Winner of the 1983 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament
  • Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award winner
  • All Pac-10 Team (1987)

Rhonda Windham (born 1964) is a former WNBA general manager of the Los Angeles Sparks from 1997 to 1999. Before joining the Sparks, Windham played basketball at the University of Southern California between 1982 and 1987. With USC, Windham scored 1,040 points and was the assists leader for each season except for 1984. During her last year in college, Windham played at the 1987 Summer Universiade and received the 1987 Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award.

After holding brief positions in the United States and Italy, Windham worked in public relations for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1990 to 1996. Upon the creation of the WNBA in 1997, Windham was the first ever general manager for the Sparks. Outside of professional basketball, Windham created the Say No Classic in 1991 and entered real estate investing in 2000.

Early life and education

In 1964, Windham was born in The Bronx, New York.[1] Windham competed in gymnastics and basketball as a child before focusing on basketball in secondary school.[2] After playing in various parts of New York City, Windham went to the University of Southern California in the early 1980s to study communication.[3] While at Southern California, Windham and her team won the 1983 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament.[4] Windham continued to play basketball until she injured her knee at the 1983 U.S. Olympic Festival.[5] Windham took a year off from basketball until she returned in late 1984.[6] In 1986, Windham was part of the USC team that was runnerup at the 1986 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament.[7]

Overall, Windham played in 122 games and scored 1,040 points with the Trojans. She held the record in assists for the Trojans each season between 1983 and 1987 except 1984.[8] In 1987, Windham received the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award from theWomen's Basketball Coaches Association.[9] Outside of the United States, Windham was part of the American team that finished fifth at the 1987 World University Games.[1]

Southern California statistics

Source[10] [11] [12] [13] [14]

Note: The following stats:FG%, FT%, RBG, PPG, FG, FGA, FT, FTA, REB, PTS for 1984–85 reflect the first 26 games. The assists (A), and Assists per game (APG) reflect all 28 games.

! scope="col"
1982–83Southern California3345.2%68.0%1.765.977.00
1983–84Southern CaliforniaMedical redshirt
1984–85Southern California2838.7%58.8%2.966.896.31
1985–86Southern California3650.4%66.7%1.864.758.94
1986–87Southern California2652.2%68.9%2.126.6911.81
Career12347.5%66.2%2.095.988.33
! scope="col"
1982–83Southern California3390199517558197231
1983–84Southern CaliforniaMedical redshirt
1984–85Southern California2867173305177193164
1985–86Southern California36136270507567171322
1986–87Southern California26128245517455174307
Career1234218871822752577351024

Career

After completing her post-secondary education, Windham briefly worked in marketing before trying out for the 1988 Summer Olympics. After she did not qualify for the American women's basketball team, Windham became a youth basketball coach in Italy that same year.[15] After working in Italy for a year, Windham went back to the United States and worked in public relations.[2] During her public relations career, Windham worked for the Los Angeles Lakers between 1990 and 1996. In January 1997, Windham was named the general manager of a Los Angeles team in the upcoming WNBA.[16]

When the WNBA held their first games from June to July 1997, Windham was the first ever general manager for the Sparks.[17] Windham continued to work as general manager of the Los Angeles Sparks until she was fired in 1999.[18] Apart from professional basketball, Windham created a summer college basketball association called the Say No Classic in 1991.[19] In the early 2000s, Windman expanded her career to real estate investing.[20]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Fourteenth World University Games -- 1987 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150907193827/http://www.usab.com/history/world-university-games-womens/fourteenth-world-university-games-1987-1.aspx . dead . September 7, 2015 . USA Basketball . 27 May 2020 . October 10, 2010.
  2. News: Johnson . Adrienne M. . Making Sparks Fly . 27 May 2020 . Los Angeles Times . June 15, 1997.
  3. News: Litsky . Frank . U.S.C. Is Sparked By Playground Guard . 27 May 2020 . The New York Times . April 3, 1983 . sec. 5 p. 7.
  4. News: Worthington . Don . Tech Pressed Off NCAA Throne by USC . Alexandria Daily Town Talk . 4 April 1983 . B-1.
  5. News: White . Lonnie . U.S. Olympic Festival: Los Angeles--1991: Memorable Moments . 27 May 2020 . Los Angeles Times . July 10, 1991.
  6. News: DiGiovanna . Mike . When Knee Went Out, Heart Kicked In . 27 May 2020 . Los Angeles Times . February 3, 1985.
  7. News: Embry . Mike . Texas belts USC for women's title . The Central New Jersey Home News . 31 March 1986 . D1.
  8. Web site: USC Women's Basketball Record Book Trojans Hoops History (Through 2019-20) . University of Southern California Athletics . 27 March 2020 . 29, 39, 55.
  9. Web site: Women's Basketball Award Winners . NCAA . 27 May 2020 . 17 . 2020.
  10. Web site: FINAL 1983 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL STATISTICS REPORT. ncaa.org. 2021-07-19.
  11. Web site: FINAL 1985 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL STATISTICS REPORT. ncaa.org. 2021-07-19.
  12. Web site: FINAL 1986 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL STATISTICS REPORT. ncaa.org. 2021-07-19.
  13. Web site: FINAL 1987 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL STATISTICS REPORT. ncaa.org. 2021-07-19.
  14. Web site: USC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL RECORD BOOK. usctrojans.com. 2021-07-19.
  15. News: White . Lonnie . After College, America's Women Stars Can Play Overseas - or Not at All . 27 May 2020 . Los Angeles Times . 10 January 1989 . Part III p. 4.
  16. News: Gustkey . Earl . New Women's NBA Franchise Has Bosses, Now It Needs Name . Los Angeles Times . January 21, 1997 . C3 . 27 May 2020.
  17. News: Evans . Howie . The WNBA's first Black general manager . New York Amsterdam News . 24 July 1997 . 88 . 30 . 49.
  18. News: Sparks Fire GM . 27 May 2020 . Orlando Sentinel . June 26, 1999.
  19. News: Lewis . Pamela . Sparks new GM is up to new challenge . Charlotte Observer . 14 July 1998 . 6B.
  20. News: Terry . Mike . This Team Continues to Reach Great Heights . 27 March 2020 . Los Angeles Times . December 13, 2002 .