Megan Compain: Making History in Women’s Basketball

Basketball has taken Whanganui born and raised, Megan Compain all over the world, including competing in the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games. But she also made history as the youngest player (and the only New Zealander) to be selected for the Women's National Basketball Association or WNBA - the counterpart to the NBA in the United States. It’s 25 years since the WNBA was established and along the way, Megan also had her fair share of interactions with some legendary players...and Kobe Bryant was one of them.

Becoming part of women's sporting history wasn't at the forefront of Megan Compain's mind when she was selected to compete in the inaugural year of the WNBA - the counterpart to the NBA in the United States.

"I should have kept my memorabilia," laughs the former Utah Starzz basketballer.

Listen to: Making WNBA History

But despite leaving her uniform in a cardboard box back in the U.S more than 20 years ago, Compain still remembers what it was like to don the jersey and being handed her own gear.

"You were kitted out from head-to-toe and you didn't have to bring your own socks and sneakers...there was this incredible feeling of pride, pulling on my training jersey with my number, and that WNBA badge on it," she says.

It was 25 years ago, on the 24th of April 1996 that the announcement was made about the formation of a women's basketball league. At the time, there were no other professional opportunities for women in basketball, unless players opted to go to Europe after College, or compete in the Olympic games.

For women, that only became an option from 1976.

The prospect of playing for the WNBA was a chance for women to be recognised in the sport.

There would be eight teams, and twelve players on each roster. The only downside - there were only two spots available per team.

Compain says the top players who were already competing internationally would take a majority of the spots, so the competition for the remaining selection was tough.

At only 5 ft 9" she would find herself competing against much taller athletes, which meant she would be put through her paces in a sea of 300 to 400 girls, all vying for selection by NBA scouts.

"You've got to wrestle your own team mates to showcase what you can do," says Compain of the rigorous weekend trials held around the country.

As with the men's teams in the NBA, players who were competing for the WNBA had their eyes set not only on winning these coveted spots, but also playing for particular teams.

"We all joked that anywhere but Utah would be alright," she laughs.

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Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details