Whitney Houston's link to the WNBA

posted by Jayda Evans: Womens Hoops Blog
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 10:42pm EST

Jayda Evans covers college and pro women's basketball. While its her first year on the Washington beat, she has covered the Storm since its inception. She'll offer observations, critiques, occasional off-beat tales and answers to select e-mail inquires. Evans also has written a book on the Storm and women's hoops, called "Game On!"

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I sat courtside and watched attentively as Whitney Houston sang the national anthem for the WNBA's inaugural All-Star game in New York in 1999. Seattle was awarded an expansion franchise that year and The Seattle Times sent me to begin our coverage, discovering Lin Dunn was named coach of the unnamed team.

A six-time Grammy award-winner, it amazed me that the budding WNBA snagged Houston to sing. But she was one of the many celebrities to support the league in its early years and the WNBA hasn't had anyone as big since to sing at midsummer showcase.

Houston died on Saturday while staying at the Beverly Hilton hotel. She was 48. WNBA players were among the millions shocked by the news on social media outlets. Former WNBA executive Angela Taylor shared the video via Twitter of Houston singing at the All-Star game at Madison Square Garden and I wanted to pass it along to you.

Rest in peace Whitney Houston.

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Jayda Evans: Womens Hoops Blog

Jayda Evans covers college and pro women's basketball. While its her first year on the Washington beat, she has covered the Storm since its inception....
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