Competing against the boys was normal in New Orleans and playing with her uncle and cousins raised her game to another level. From ages 9 to 11, Temeka was the tallest player on the basketball court. Unfortunately, when she turned 12, everyone blossomed in height, except her.

Exploring Pop Warner and A.A.U. Basketball, Temeka frequently heard that she’s fast but so little, and that she’ll never make it to on the collegiate level. “That motivated me to prove people wrong,” she said. She left track after earning three letters to focus on basketball year round. For three years at Bonnabel High, Temeka was named the district’s Most Valuable Player. The All American tallied 2952 career points and dished out 1042 assists. In one memorable contest, she netted 62 points, 11 assists, 10 steals and 10 rebounds.

With a degree in General Studies and pursuing a Master’s in business, Temeka is L.S.U. and the Southeastern Conference all time assist leader with 945. Named the Nancy Lieberman Award winner as the nation’s top point guard, Temeka made first team All American by the United States Basketball Writers Association. She scored 1426 career points for the Tigers.

  The former L. S.U. star was chosen in the first round (six overall) by the Washington Mystics in April. Coach Richard Adubato, the new Mystics coach, said the organization drafted Temeka due to her leadership and basketball skills. “She led the number one collegiate team in the country last year, they like her ability to create and make everyone around her better. They didn’t let her size interfere with the understanding that she’s a very good basketball player.”

  An eight- year Mystics veteran, Murriel Page, uttered positive words of their first round draftee selection. “Temeka is a great leader, and I can see her stepping up to that leader role, where she is telling everyone what to do on the court. We’ll be a contender this year for the championship,” Page concluded.

  The W.N.B.A.com 2005 General Managers survey picked Temeka likely to be a “sleeper” success out of nine rookies. The Mystics are currently 1-1. In the home opener lost on Sunday, 69-67, against the Connecticut Sun, every defender had a hard time containing the hustling navigator.

Each time she took a breather or reentered the game, the offensive creator received a well-deserved applause. The female version of Mugsy Bogues finished with 12 points and 7 assists, playing 31 minutes. “We broke down four or five times at the end of the game, but we will go through all of our plays to get it done correctly,” coach Adubato said. “Temeka did a tremendous job coming straight out of college.”

  Lindsay Whalen, the Sun point guard agrees. “We don’t play against many women in this league with her height and quickness, and she’ll be a tough player to contend with in this league for a long time,” says Whalen, who had nine points and four assists.

  This community activist will never forget her roots and credits God for her success. A dream come true is to play in the most talented women’s professional basketball league. “It’s nothing that nobody can tell you that you can’t do. I am a spark for others, who believe in themselves.”

Temeka loves the hospitality and people in D.C. “The organization, fans and teammates are great. “To make the Mystics better, I’ll do whatever it takes,” she said.