WNBA Legend Sheryl Swoopes Opens Up About Beloved Teammate's Death With Former NFL Player Dr. Myron Rolle

WNBA legend and 3x Olympic Gold Medalist Sheryl Swoopes recently opened up about the tragic loss of her friend and former Houston Comets teammate, Kim Perrot.

The 5'5" starting point guard—known for her incredible toughness, defensive skill, leadership, and charismatic personality—was a key part of the Comets' dynasty alongside standouts Cynthia Cooper, Tina Thompson, and, of course, Swoopes.

In a heartbreaking turn of events, however, Perrot passed away at the age of 32 in August 1999 after being diagnosed with lung cancer in February of that year, just one week before the 1999 WNBA playoffs began.

Speaking with former NFL player-turned-neurosurgeon Dr. Myron Rolle on his new talk show, "Health Is Wealth," Swoopes detailed how she first learned of Perrot's illness during the Comets' 1999 season.

"We knew something was wrong because she wasn't at practice very much, [and] she really started losing a lot of weight," said Swoopes, who also noted she felt Perrot's "energy was different" during the season.

The mother of one then recalled the heartbreaking moment the Comets' head coach, Van Chancellor, shared the news of Perrot's passing, describing the loss as one of "the toughest things I've personally ever experienced."

Swoopes went on to say that Perrot wasn't just one of her WNBA teammates, but rather a "sister" who had a profound influence on her life. "I know basketball is just a game," she said, "but in that moment it was more than a game."

Swoopes, who was also a three-time league MVP and six-time all-star, explained that the day she and her teammates received the news of Perrot's death, they played their scheduled game against the Los Angeles Sparks as planned; however, she admitted the contest "felt different."

Later, Swoopes and the Comets went on to win their third consecutive WNBA championship, which the team dedicated to Perrot, coining the phrase "#3 for #10."

Elsewhere in her conversation on "Health Is Wealth," Swoopes praised Perrot for her "resilience" during her time in the league.

"No matter how many times people told her no," Swoopes said, "she never stopped. She never quit. And to have a teammate like that, to have a sister like that on your side, it just makes me look at things differently and say, 'This is nothing compared to what my teammate went through.'"

"And Kim was a fighter," Swoopes added, "she fought til the very end. Just a tough, tough thing to deal with, to witness, to go through. But, I'm so grateful that I was able to share a few years with her on the basketball court."

Swoopes was the first guest on PlayersTV's newest talk show, hosted by former NFL veteran turned neurosurgeon Dr. Myron Rolle, which explores today's most pressing healthcare issues through the lens of a world-class medical expert and his elite athlete guests.

"'Health Is Wealth' brings viewers behind the scenes and into the lives of star athletes for intimate, thought-provoking conversations on personal wellness, longevity, mental health, and purpose," the show's official press release reads.

Each episode will feature a high-profile athlete having a thoughtful conversation with Dr. Rolle, who will provide "unique insights only he can as an All-American athlete-turned-doctor with expertise at the intersection of healthcare and sports."

"These are star athletes like you’ve never seen them: raw and candid, sharing their personal experiences while providing education on health and wellness-focused causes sacred to them in a safe space," the release stated.

New episodes of Dr. Rolle's "Health Is Wealth" show will feature guests such as Alonzo Mourning and Ken Griffey, Sr., who will discuss serious topics, including breast and prostate cancer.

“This show is about transformation,” said Dr. Rolle. “From the field to the operating room, I’ve seen what true wellness demands, and Health Is Wealth offers those lessons in ways that are relatable, deeply human, and inspiring. It is an incredible honor to share this platform to bring awareness to what world-class people care about the most.”