Swin Cash
Born (1979)
Hall of Fame Induction: 2022
Card Shown: 2005 WNBA
Rittenhouse Archives
Position: F
Height: 6’1″
bb
bb
Swin Cash was a winner on the basketball court and an “astounding woman” who continues to make a difference in the lives of many people outside the confines of the court. On the hardwood, Swin won two collegiate championships at the University of Connecticut, three WNBA championships, and two Olympic gold medals.
Off the court, Cash has perhaps made a larger impact than she did with her many on the court championships and honors. Swin has started two foundations, Cash for Kids and Cash Building Blocks which aim to make a positive impact in the lives of kids and to make affordable housing available to low income families. For her work outside the lines, Cash was twice awarded the WNBA Cares Community Assist Award in 2011 and 2016.
Awards and Honors
- Swin played college basketball for UConn (and legendary coach Geno Auriemma) and helped lead the Huskies to two national championships in 2000 and 2002. In 2002 she was named the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player.
- Cash won two WNBA championships in 2003 and 2006 with the Detroit Shock. The Shock were coached by former Detroit Pistons player Bill Laimbeer. She added a third WNBA title with the Seattle Storm in 2010. On that Storm team, Swin joined forces with Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird to bring home the championship.
- Swin played in four WNBA All-Star games during her fifteen-year career. She was named the All-Star game Most Valuable Player twice, in 2009 and 2011.
- Cash won gold medals with Team USA at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece and again in 2012 in London, England.
- Swin was named to the WNBA Top 20@20 team in 2016 which recognized the top 20 players to play in the league during its first 20 years. Five years later, in 2021, she was named to the W25.
Points of Interest
- Cash was selected by the Detroit Shock with the second overall pick in the 2002 WNBA Draft, one spot behind UConn teammate Sue Bird, two spots in front of UConn teammate Asjha Jones, and four spots in front of UConn teammate Tamika Williams. With four of the top six draft picks in the WNBA Draft coming out of UConn, it is no wonder that the Huskies won the NCAA championship in 2002.
- Swin’s full name is Swintayla Marie Cash. Swintayla means “astounding woman” and would prove to be an accurate foreshadowing of the tremendous impact that Cash would have on the lives of so many others
- In 2013, Cash and Tamika Catchings were voted co-winners of the Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award. The award is given to players who exemplify sportsmanship on the court as well as ethical behavior, fair play, and integrity.
- Swin started her own foundation called Cash for Kids whose mission is “to motivate, educate, and elevate kids through physical fitness, nutrition, education, cultural trips, and sports camps. She also founded Cash Building Blocks, an urban development company that renovates and offers affordable homes for low income families.
- After her playing days ended, Cash continued to be involved in professional basketball. In 2019, Swin was hired by the New Orleans Pelicans to be their Vice President of Basketball Operations and Team Development.
Statistics
Swin Cash Statistics
provided by Basketball-Reference.com
Autographed Swin Cash Card
