Ex-Lady Rebels great Pauline Jordan finally gets her WNBA shot

Steve Carp

Tuesday, Aug. 11, 1998 | 10:58 a.m.

She wanted next, like the TV commercial. But they wouldn't let her join in.

Finally, her talent was too good for them to keep her out. So that slick, polished media machine known as the Women's National Basketball Association decided, "OK, 30-year-old rookie, you can play with us."

By all rights, Pauline Jordan should be insulted. At the very least, she should be bitter. She probably is both. But to her credit, the former UNLV great keeps any grudges she may hold inside her.

After eight years of globetrotting and playing in Spain, Italy and Russia, the ex-Lady Rebel is home where the hoop is. She is living her dream of playing for pay in her own country.

"It is important to me," she said. "I'm grateful for the chance because nothing is promised to you in life. There's thousands of ladies who want that chance."

She got that chance, but with no guarantees. First, she signed on with the WNBA for far less than the six figures she was making overseas. Jordan was assigned to the Phoenix Mercury and made the team as a backup center.

She didn't see a lot of minutes. And in early July, Jordan was traded to the Sacramento Monarchs, who have been occupying the basement of the Western Conference.

But at least she's part of the regular rotation with the Monarchs. She's getting a chance to show she still has game at age 30, something she says isn't that big a deal.

"There are a lot of players here older than me," Jordan said. "I don't think my age is a big thing. In fact, I think it helps because my experience can be used to help the younger players."

Of course, she still has to produce to keep her job from being given to one of those younger players. Jordan's averaging 17 minutes a game and scoring just under four points and averaging three rebounds. She's the team's second-leading shot-blocker.

Even though she's more of a power forward, Jordan has been used as a backup center.

"It's hard for me because I'm a small center," she said. "I'm more concerned about the team. We're having a shaky season, a rocky season."

But the WNBA as a whole is doing extremely well in its second season. Attendance is up and the extensive marketing and planning that went into launching the league appears to be paying off.

"I'm not surprised," Jordan said of the WNBA's early success. "We're funded by a billion-dollar corporation (the NBA). They did their homework. They knew what markets would work."

It's working so well that the WNBA players are looking to form their own union. But with the NBA players embroiled in a lockout with the league's owners, the women may have to wait.

"The timing's bad given what the men are going through," Jordan said. "Everyone's basically on edge because we're trying to get a player's association established."

And maybe if one is formed, it will make it easier for players to get into the WNBA. Jordan still doesn't understand what took so long for an established player like herself to get a shot back home.

"I guess there are behind-the-scenes things that you don't know about," she said. "Nobody really knew why I wasn't in the league.

"But I knew a lot of people in the league that I had played with, and they convinced me I should take a shot. I guess when the door is open, you either step in or you step out."

Fortunately for Jordan, the WNBA door wasn't closed in her face forever. Her experience and ability was enough to get her through that door. Now, the challenge is not to be forced out the door.

"This is a different league than in Europe," she said. "Here, it's more of a coaches' league. Everything's more controlled. Overseas, they say, 'OK, we brought you here to play, so go play.' It's more of a players' game in Europe.

"But the level of play is very good (in the WNBA). We have some very good young players and a lot of excellent experienced players. It's a good mix and I think the fans like it."

Jordan remains a fan of her alma mater. Like many, she is disappointed to see what has become of the once-proud Lady Rebels.

"It's hard when you were part of a program that moved forward and then falls backward," she said. "Every university goes through a slump. Unfortunately, that's part of the game.

"I'm hoping they'll bounce back. I've heard Coach (Regina) Miller is working hard and I wish her well. I'm hoping she'll talk to some of the alumni and let us be part of it. The former coach (LaDonna McClain) met with some of us but she wanted to knock out all the old Lady Rebels. I hope Coach Miller won't do the same."

Meanwhile, Jordan still has something to offer on the court. She said her overseas experiences have been fulfilling as well as financially rewarding. But she's glad to be playing in her own country and to help women's basketball in the United States grow.

"I loved being overseas," she said. "Especially Russia. We had a great team there. Everyone got along. That was a lot of fun. I got to visit 22 countries and learn so much about the world.

"But to be back home playing is very important to me. I'm just glad I finally got the chance."