Sheryl Swoopes signs with Seattle Storm

SEATTLE, March 3 (UPI) -- The Seattle Storm announced Monday the signing of WNBA superstar Sheryl Swoopes to a multiyear contract.

Swoopes, who has been with the WNBA since the inaugural season in 1997, has spent her entire career with the Houston Comets.

Swoopes joins the Storm as a three-time league MVP (2000, 2002, 2005). She has also been named to the WNBA All-First Team five times, and to the All- Decade Team after leading Houston to four consecutive league championships from 1997-2000.

Swoopes is also a six-time WNBA All-Star and earned the game's MVP award in 2005.

Swoopes, the all-time leader in the WNBA in total steals with 589, was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year on three occasions. She is also fourth on the all-time scoring list with 4,399 total points.