Ex-WNBA star Swin Cash gets one of the highest-ranking front-office roles for a woman in NBA history

Swin Cash is a three-time WNBA champion. She was drafted into the WNBA by the Detroit Shock in 2002 as the second overall pick and she won two WNBA titles before joining Seattle Storm, earning her third and final championship, according to Vibe.

In addition to the Shock and Seattle Storm, she played for Chicago Sky, Atlanta Dream, and New York Liberty. Also, she helped the U.S. Women’s National Team to win two Olympic gold medals (2004, 2012.)

After retiring from the league after 15 seasons, she went into leadership, becoming the director of franchise development in 2017 at New York Liberty. She was subsequently hired by the New Orleans Pelicans as the team’s vice president of basketball operations and team development.

“I am so excited to join the New Orleans Pelicans as Vice President of Basketball Operations/Team Development,” Cash said at the time. “I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Mrs. [Gayle] Benson (team owner), David Griffin and the Pelicans organization for the opportunity to serve in a leadership role in the front office.

“I will use my experience as a professional athlete in the WNBA, Vice President of the WNBPA, businesswoman and philanthropist; along with the knowledge I’ve gained as a front office executive, to cultivate the organization’s basketball culture on the court and in the community.”

She now serves as the senior vice president of basketball operations at New Orleans Pelicans, making her “one of the highest-ranking women in an NBA front office,” according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.

A native of Pennsylvania who also worked as an analyst on NBA TV, Cash attended the University of Connecticut following a standout prep career, where the forward became one of the Huskie’s star players. She led the team to two national championships and an undefeated season during her career.