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The WNBA franchise has signed 50-year-old Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman to a seven-day contract. She is the oldest player in league history.
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Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Days after participating in a brawl with the Los Angeles Sparks, the Detroit Shock had another surprise in store Thursday, signing Nancy Lieberman to a seven-day contract.
Lieberman, who was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Women's Hall in 1999, had been the general manager and head coach of the Shock from 1998-2000, and is currently a television analyst for WNBA contests.
The native of Brooklyn was originally drafted by the Phoenix Mercury in the 1997 draft, spending one season with the club -- becoming the oldest player in league history at 39 years, 54 days old.
After turning 50 years old on July 1, Lieberman established a new record by playing in Detroit's 79-61 loss to Houston.
She had no points and two assists in the game.
Lieberman was a standout for Far Rockaway High School in Queens, and played on the US women's team for the 1976 Olympics. She went on to star at Old Dominion University from 1976-80 then performed in the short-lived Women's Pro Basketball League.
Lieberman also broke ground in 1986, becoming the first female to play in a men's league when she took the floor for Springfield of the USBL.
Over 17 professional seasons, she averaged 15.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game.
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