Though the women's league does not get as much media attendance or media coverage as the men's league, the players practice just as hard and the fundamentals in the women's leagues, both in college and professional, can be superior to the men's game. You don't hear as much about individual players in the women's league — the team concept is so strong that it cannot be undervalued. Nevertheless, here are some of the great women's players from yesterday and today.

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Nancy came back at age 50 in 2008 to play one game for the Detroit Shock, which had had several suspensions the previous game. She contributed two assists in an 18-point loss to Houston and then resumed her job as a TV commentator.

Nancy Lieberman

Nancy Lieberman brought the no-look pass to the women's game, and before Magic Johnson ever suited up for the L.A. Lakers, she was known as “Lady Magic.” She played collegiate basketball at Old Dominion and led her school to a pair of national championships. Nancy also played two years in the United States Basketball League and played for the Washington Generals, which was the touring opponent for the Harlem Globetrotters. She was also the youngest member of the U.S. Women's Olympic team that won a silver medal at the 1976 Olympics. In 1997, though almost 40 years old, Nancy played one season for the WNBA's inaugural campaign for the Phoenix Mercury.

Cheryl Miller

Cheryl Miller was a dominant, free-wheeling player for the University of Southern California. She led the team to NCAA titles in 1983 and 1984. She was a leader of the team that won Olympic gold in 1984. A Naismith Hall of Famer, Cheryl was widely regarded as the best women's basketball player of all time when she retired. At USC, she set records for points — 3,018 — and rebounds — 1,534. After working as an NBA commentator, Cheryl joined the WNBA as a general manager and coach. She now works as a basketball reporter.

Teresa Edwards

Though she came along before the WNBA's glory days, few have accomplished more in women's basketball than Teresa Edwards, who made her name playing professionally overseas. She also has the unprecedented distinction of being the only five-time female U.S. Olympic basketball player. The point guard led the University of Georgia to a pair of Final Four appearances before leading Team USA to four gold medals and one bronze Olympic medal. Teresa played for the fledgling American Basketball League before it folded and was the only ABL player to score more than 40 points in a game. The ABL was a women's professional league that was started in 1996 but folded in 1998 because it didn't have enough money.

Rebecca Lobo

One of the best college basketball players of all time, Rebecca Lobo helped Connecticut become a force in women's college basketball. There was no stopping Rebecca; at 6 feet 4 inches, she was very agile and graceful with the ball and was seldom beaten for a rebound. She set her state's high school scoring record with 2,710 points in Massachusetts and at UConn she became the nation's best player in 1995, leading the Huskies to the National Championship and a perfect 35-0 season. That year, Rebecca won Naismith and College Player of the Year awards. Her WNBA career with the New York Liberty started out strong, but a torn knee ligament brought her pro career to a premature end.

Ann Meyers

Ann Meyers was the first woman to sign a contract with an NBA team, getting a three-day tryout with the Indiana Pacers. Though she was cut from the team, the following year Ann was drafted into the Women's Professional Basketball League and played just one season, 1979–1980, in which she was named Most Valuable Player. But her standout performances were as an amateur. As a high school senior in 1974, Ann became the first prep player named to a U.S. Basketball Team. She followed that up with a spot on the 1976 U.S. Olympic team, which won silver. She was also UCLA's first female full-ride scholarship student athlete. As a Lady Bruin, the 5 foot 9 inch Ann had a quadruple-double — 20 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 steals — the only player, male or female, to do that in school history. Ann led UCLA to the 1978 National Championship.