Lacy’s Ready To Reign Olympian Will Lead New Pro Team To Spokane For Exhibition

The last Olympic team selection but the No. 1 pick of the fledgling women’s professional basketball team, the Seattle Reign, was in Spokane on Thursday to promote an exhibition game for her team at the Spokane Arena.

Venus Lacy will lead the Reign against Olympic teammate Teresa Edwards and American Basketball League foe Atlanta Glory in the Arena on Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Formation of the national women’s pro league, which includes eight teams composed of former standout U.S. collegians, was announced a year ago.

Of the 80 players drafted, 44 played on Final Four teams and 33 were Kodak All-Americans at least once, including Lacy, said Reign coach Jacquie Hullah.

“The timing is so right,” said Hullah, who coached at Dartmouth and Arizona State University. “When you look at TV and media exposure in women’s college basketball, the Olympic year and team being an ambassador, we’re at an all-time high in visibility.”

Lacy overcame a potentially crippling leg deformity to become a college star. She attended Old Dominion in 1986 and, from 1988-90, played on three Final Four teams at Louisiana Tech.

She averaged 20 points, a school record, and 11.3 rebounds per year during her college career, including highs of 24.2 and 12.7 as a senior.

The 1988 Lady Techsters won the national title in Tacoma during Lacy’s sophomore year.

Lacy was not selected for the Olympic team in 1992 and did not try out this year, but she was called to join the team two months before the Olympics. She averaged 6.6 points and 4.4 rebounds in a reserve role.

Lacy turned her back on a professional career in Japan, Italy and Greece to help get the new league started.

“I’ll take a pay cut, but it’s not the money I’m worried about,” said Lacy. “It’s about setting up something for the next generation. I have two nieces who won’t have to go through what I did.”

It is, she said, an opportunity to play professionally in the U.S., an option female basketball players haven’t had.

“That is something that is past overdue for us. It’s time for the athletes to do their part. If you support us, we won’t let you down.”

Former Washington Husky Tara Davis is also on the Reign.

Tickets, at $15, $12 and $7.50, go on sale today at G&B Select-A-Seat locations and the Arena Box Office.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo