WNBA: Welcome to the Wild, Wonderful World of Women's Basketball

If I'd been born a guy, I know just what I would have done with my life. Back in 1985, I would have bagged my senior year of college, thanked the University of Texas at Austin for three glorious years of scholarship-funded room and board, packed up my deadly long-range jump shot and killer defensive moves, and entered the NBA draft.

In my fantasy, I'd play in the league for 15 fabulous years, making multiple All-Star teams and battling Reggie Miller of the Indiana Pacers for the title of free-throw shooting champion. Of course, Nike would design a sneaker in my honor, and I'd land two or three sweet endorsement deals with McDonald's, Sprint or Gillette. Just about now, I'd be seriously considering retirement with a million-dollar broadcasting deal and a hefty investment portfolio to look forward to. In short, I'd have the whole world right in my nimble little hands.

As fate would have it, I was born a girl. And since there was no women's professional basketball league in 1985 or '86 (the year I graduated), I left for Italy, along with many of my ball-playing peers. The Italians treated me like a queen, but I wasn't satisfied. I wanted to play ball on my own soil, in front of people I knew and who knew me.

Finally, in 1997, my fantasy became reality with the launch of the WNBA. I never did get that namesake sneaker, but it was still a joy to play in that inaugural season, not to mention being a Houston Comet and a member of the league's first championship team. Over the coming weeks, I hope to bring you the same sense of joy and excitement I get from women's basketball, plus the dish on what's going on in the locker room, and any behind-the-scenes deals and doings. Let me know what you want to hear about. Write to me at franharris@www.lifetimetv.com