Obama Says WNBA Is Inspiration to His Daughters

By: Prerana Swami
Topics: Obama

President Obama met with members of the Detroit Shock in the White House today and congratulating them for their third WNBA championship win in six years.

The president thanked the players for contributing to the Detroit community and participating in his community service initiative "United We Serve" as well as serving as a source of inspiration for his daughters.

"It's hard to believe the WNBA has already been around for 12 years. And that means that my daughters have never known a time when women couldn't play professional sports," Mr. Obama said. "It makes my daughters look at themselves differently; to see that they can be champions, too."

The Shock were joined by Detroit Pistons greats Bill Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn. Laimbeer was head coach of the team until last month when Mahorn took over (he was previously an assistant coach).

Karen Davidson, owner of the Shock and the NBA's Detroit Pistons, was also in attendence, as were Michigan Senator Carl Levin and Representatives Sandy Levin and Carolyn Kilpatrick.

An avid Chicago Bulls fan, Mr. Obama noted that he would never be congratulating Lambieer and Mahorn on their success.

Referring to the Bull-Pistons rivalry of 20 years ago, Mr. Obama said: "To think that I'd be inviting them to the White House is hard to take."

The full video of Mr. Obama honoring the Shock can be seen above.