"Texas was like UConn back in the day": Sheryl Swoopes once made confession about her first big college decision

Sheryl Swoopes was initially set to play for the University of Texas in college until she had a change of heart. She, however, had no regrets with her decision, believing that the move made her the player that she became.

The four-time WNBA champion and three-time league MVP made this confession back in 2018 in her interview during the "60 Days of Summer" program of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, where she was enshrined two years prior.

Swoopes shared that she wanted to play for Texas because it was the team to be part of during her time. But when she realized things were not a right fit as she initially thought, and in consultation with her mother, she decided to go somewhere else.

The now-53 year-old WNBA legend said:

"When I made the decision coming out of high school to go to the University of Texas, honestly I did it because that's what everybody said I was supposed to do... Texas was like the UConn back in the day so if you were good or you want it to be good or you wanted to win national championships that's where you went..."

Sheryl Swoopes went to say:

"University of Texas I think they're a phenomenal program but the decision that I made to leave was what was best for me and I could honestly tell you that every step I've taken since then I don't regret it when I left Texas..."

Check out what she had to say below, beginning at 5:22:

Swoopes first played for South Plains College in Texas from 1989 to 1981 before starring for Texas Tech from 1991 to 1993. With the Red Raiders, she finished her career with averages of 24.9 points, nine rebounds, 4.4 assists, 3.4 steals and a block while leading the team to the national title in her final year.

She was then recruited by the Houston Comets for the inaugural season of the WNBA in 1997, becoming a champion for four straight years from 1997-2000.

Sheryl Swoopes rues demise of the Houston Comets

Sheryl Swoopes was a huge part of the dynasty of the Houston Comets in the early years of the WNBA and laments that the team is no longer around.

The six-time WNBA All-Star made her sentiments known of the disbandment of the Comets back in 2008, highlighting how unfortunate that something great was not able to be sustained.

Swoopes said in an interview with AZ Central in September last year:

"I wasn't too happy about it. It's really sad to see a team that was so dominant at the beginning of the WNBA winning four straight back-to-back-to-back-to back championships to know that we don't have a place that we can call home where we played, and a place where we can retire our jerseys. So for me, it's a little disappointing that Houston no longer has a team."

Together with Cynthia Copper and Tina Thompson, Sheryl Swoopes helped the Comets to four league titles. After playing in Houston, she played a season each in Seattle (2008) and Tulsa (2011) before retiring from the WNBA.