Celebrating the contribution of Delisha Milton-Jones

NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen’s Women’s Basketball Worldwide) – Regrets, I’ve had a few, as they say. One of mine is that I didn’t catch enough action of Delisha Milton-Jones, either on the small screen or in the flesh during her stellar career.

It will always be a bugbear of mine that I wasn’t able to generate coverage of her efforts when she was at the absolute peak of her powers. I formally joined the FIBA beat a little too late and yet that doesn’t dilute the admiration I have for a true heavyweight of the women’s game.
 
With 17 seasons to her name and a WNBA record of 499 games played [including a couple of Championships], it’s only half the story.

Her accomplishments Stateside have been more than matched in Europe, where she was a leading light in EuroLeague Women and one of the All-Time great contributors to the competition. Her stunning eleven consecutive campaigns in this elite tournament is not something that should be overlooked by those in her homeland.

Milton-Jones was a regular for the 'Rest of the World' in EuroLeague Women All-Star games.

While I will never pretend to be an expert on the WNBA, it does seem from the outside looking in, that the response to her retirement has been surprisingly muted. Or at least in comparison to what I feel this player deserves. It also continues on from her not being included in the WNBA’s Top 20 All-Time player list and surely she can’t have been far away. I mean in the celebratory 20 years of the WNBA, she has been around for all but three of them. It is remarkable.

Although no doubt frustrated by not being able to make it 500 games and reach a monumental milestone, there is probably a part of Milton-Jones whose court persona at least would not want such a sentimental offering. Besides, she’s in good company with the likes of Sheryl Swoopes in not getting a fitting send-off.

Instead it’s a retirement letter. It’s heartfelt and refreshingly honest, which perhaps taps into that slightly muted response.

This is a player who played as hard as I have seen in the women’s game and was famously ‘De-Nasty’ on the hardwood and more ‘Sunshine’ when the final buzzer sounded. It’s interesting that she has felt the need to apologise [even tongue in cheek] to those players she rubbed up the wrong way, or the referees she thinks she gave grey hairs to. Yet I am sure all of her opponents and those who officiated will have nothing but respect for the tenacity and desire to win that Milton-Jones put into the sport. Or will have forgotten the smiles when the game was over and that importantly, the warrior spirit was placed back in the locker until the next time.

One of the other main points of her farewell note was pinpointing her pride in having never had a day off. I suspect that one of the biggest tributes you could pay to Milton-Jones is that while some of her opponents will have relished the physical test, many more will have scrunched up their noses and sighed at what lay in wait – a damn hard time from start to finish. Something which is very much underlined by the ‘war wounds’ that Milton-Jones herself takes away from the game.

In fact, considering her abrasive, aggressive and intense style, her longevity is all the more astonishing. Perhaps testament to the kind of mental toughness required to be an elite athlete for that kind of amazing period.

Yes, what an absolute warrior and outstanding player. A two-time Olympic gold medalist as well, don't forget!

Fans on both sides of the Atlantic should rejoice in what Milton-Jones has delivered and if she takes that kind of commitment and success to her next role as an Assistant Coach, then those who will receive the benefit of her experience and advice at Pepperdine University should feel very lucky indeed.

As do I, even if I did only manage to catch the later chapters of a remarkably long journey at the top of her profession.

Paul Nilsen
FIBA

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