Yes, they're winning WNBA championships, gold medals in international competition and starring with overseas clubs. But this group of five also once played D1 basketball for UConn, LSU, Louisville and Southern Cal.
Here's a look at the top five all-time WNBA scoring leaders who played college basketball.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Lauren Jackson is 4th all-time in scoring, but didn't play college basketball in the United States. She is a native of Australia and after a 12-year career with the Seattle Storm she is back in Canberra playing for her original club.
[divider]
5. SEIMONE AUGUSTUS, LSU
- LSU great Seimone Augustus
WNBA CAREER SCORING AVG.: 18.2 points per game with Minnesota
YEARS IN COLLEGE: 2002-06 (Career: 19.3 ppg., 4 rpg.)
THE QUICK TAKE: Augustus, the No. 1 overall WNBA draft pick in 2006, hasn't disappointed since that big draft day nearly 10 years ago. She's won two gold medals with the national team, dominated for Minnesota in the WNBA, had her numbers retired at LSU–and at 31 years of age she's still going strong.
4. MAYA MOORE, UCONN
- UConn great Maya Moore
WNBA CAREER SCORING AVG.: 18.5 points per game for Minnesota
YEARS IN COLLEGE: 2007-2011 (Career: 19.7 ppg., 8 rebounds)
THE QUICK TAKE: Get a couple of extra sheets of paper for Moore's resume, because it is lengthy. She's been the WNBA MVP, won championships at every level and across oceans. You name it, she's done it. And don't be surprised if her scoring average goes up even more. She's still in her mid 20s.
3. ANGEL MCCOUGHTRY, LOUISVILLE
- Louisville great Angel Mccoughtry
WNBA CAREER SCORING AVG.: 19.5 points per game for Atlanta
YEARS IN COLLEGE: 2005-09 (Career: 20 ppg., 9 rebounds, 4 steals)
THE QUICK TAKE: She's won Olympic Gold, she led the Big East in scoring, she was the WNBA rookie of the year, led the league in scoring … do we need to go on? She's not even 30 years old yet and it seems like she's still ascending as an American womens hoops icon.
2. DIANA TAURASI, UCONN
- UConn great Diana Taurasi
WNBA CAREER SCORING AVG.: 20.13 points per game for Phoenix
YEARS IN COLLEGE: 2000-04 (Career: 15 ppg, 5 assists, 4 rebounds)
THE QUICK TAKE: Taurasi actually took it easy this year, as the Russian club she is under contract with actually paid her to sit this year to rest. She was the MVP in the WNBA in 2009, won two Naismith Trophies in college, won titles everywhere she goes, whether it's college, club or international. She's a winner.
1. CYNTHIA COOPER, USC
- Cynthia Cooper back at Southern Cal.
WNBA CAREER SCORING AVG.: 20.98 points per game for Houston (1997-2000, 2003)
YEARS IN COLLEGE: 1982-86
THE QUICK TAKE: Cooper made a living in Spain playing womens pro basketball, and then when the WNBA began play she eagerly came aboard with the Houston Comets. She is now a Division I womens basketball coach at Southern Cal. She won gold medals for her country, WNBA scoring titles, WNBA championship trophies … she's one of the most decorated players in the history of American womens hoops. At Southern Cal she finished her career with 1,559 points, 381 assists and 256 steals.
