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Center Stage
By Lisa R. Foeman
“Jazzy with a flair” is how the New York Liberty’s Teresa
Weatherspoon and I, in a moment of apparent telepathic unison, dubbed Kym Hampton’s
impromptu mini-rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.” Hampton’s melodic
voice is definitely pleasing to the ear. That said, I nearly toppled over with laughter
when Weatherspoon facetiously teased, “she can sing the blues, too.” No.
Songbirds definitely don’t do the blues!
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Andrew D. Bernstein/WNBA Photos
NY
Liberty's Kym Hampton
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Newly retired from the WNBA’s New York Liberty, Hampton plans on staying in New York
to pursue a singing and modeling career. It’s hard to imagine Hampton, who just
wrapped up a 14-year professional basketball career that took her to Spain, Japan, France,
Italy and the United States, was too shy as a child to even sing in the church choir. But
three years ago, she put her bashfulness aside and sang the national anthem before a
capacity crowd at a New York Knicks v. Miami Heat playoff game - only after thinking she
“was going to pass out.” She also mustered up the nerve to sing the “Star
Spangled Banner” for Liberty loyalists before tip-off of the Liberty’s last home
game in each of the past three seasons.
But Hampton can sing more than the
national anthem. She sang background vocals for “Friends,” a song on the
recently released “Electric Honey” CD of Luscious Jackson, a pop/rock band.
Hampton tests her R & B vocal abilities in a duet on Ninety Nine Percent’s new CD
to be released this month. Exploring the full range of her musical talents, Hampton also
penned the lyrics to her part of the duet.
Her modeling career, too, is well on its way. With Black Opal (makeup company) and Lane
Bryant (full figure ladies’ clothier) already in her modeling repertoire, Hampton
hopes that her agency, Click, can win her assignments with “some of the larger
cosmetic companies” as well as big/tall women’s clothing companies.
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While Hampton looks forward to her new career prospects
with excitement, this All-Star game starter is clearly saddened by the Liberty’s
failure to capture the championship crown from the Houston Comets. Recalling that
emotionally and physically draining three-game championship series, Hampton lamented
“it [the loss] hurts. We felt like we ha[d] overcome so many odds. We were picked to
finish fourth [out of six teams] in the [eastern] conference. Let alone win the
conference. Let alone get to the playoffs. Let alone go to the finals. We felt proud
because we overcame a lot of things, and we went further than we were expected to. It was
kind of like we were the [New York] Knicks. We felt hurt because we didn’t pull it
off.” |
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The Comets amazing three-peat certainly
ensures them a place in WNBA history. Hampton, who started at center in all of New
York’s 90 regular season games, averaged 9.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, and
led the Liberty to two WNBA championship appearances, will be remembered as well - in the
WNBA’s future Hall of Fame.
M
October 1999 |
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