THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 14, 1996 TAG: 9607140179
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 46 lines
After five years in Brazil, former Old Dominion basketball star Adrienne Goodson can talk trash in Portuguese, and back up what she says.
``I'm twice the player I was coming out of college,'' said Goodson, who was an honorable mention All-American in 1988.
Goodson has been playing professionally in Brazil since 1991, but won't be heading back there next season. Instead, she's signed to play for the Richmond Rage, one of eight teams in the new American Basketball League.
As she sat at Lake Taylor High Saturday, watching the women's division of the Hampton Roads Pro-Am, Goodson said she finds it all a little hard to believe.
``It's weird for me. I'm going through some shock,'' she said. ``Right about this time, I'm usually preparing to go play in Brazil.''
The concept of a women's professional basketball league in the U.S. does take some getting used to. Although women's leagues have been successful overseas, skeptics have questioned whether a league can make it in the U.S.
Goodson said the ABL is off to a solid start, however.
``It's flying,'' she said. ``We've got our sponsors, we've got Reebok, and the TV coverage from Home Team Sports and Prime (Network).
``People have put a lot of money into it.''
The ABL is one of two fledgling women's leagues. The NBA is scheduled to start the Women's NBA next summer.
The ABL will begin play in mid-October and the season will run until March. Richmond's training camp opens Sept. 2.
Goodson, 29, was set to return to Brazil when she decided to attend an ABL tryout in May. Richmond made her its territorial selection in last month's draft. Richmond also owns the rights to national team players Lisa Leslie and Dawn Staley.
``We're going to have a very good team,'' she said. ``It looks good on paper.''
ABL salaries will average $70,000, with a minimum of $40,000. Goodson said her deal will pay her about $5,000 more than she made in Brazil.
``I'll miss it,'' she said. ``I like the people, and I like the basketball. I've been playing there since I've got out of college.''
A chance to play closer to home was too good to pass up, however. Goodson said she's grateful the league came along while she's still in her prime.
``Women's basketball has grown. I was on TV back in `85 (ODU's last national championship season), when we started to get some coverage. It's grown, but it's still not where it needs to be.'' by CNB