Edna Campbell
Edna Campbell (born November 26, 1968 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American women's basketball player who plays in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The 5' 8" guard was a star player for the Sacramento Monarchs and has also played for three other teams, but is best known for continuing to play despite suffering breast cancer.
College years
Campbell's college career began at the University of Maryland, College Park, but achieved her most notable success at the University of Texas' women's team, known as the Lady Longhorns, where she was named the Southwest Conference's Newcomer of the Year in 1990. She graduated in 1991 after the Lady Longhorns compiled a 48-14 won/loss record while she was there.
ABL career
Campbell played for the Colorado Xplosion of the American Basketball League.
WNBA career
Campbell was the 10th overall draft pick, selected by the Phoenix Mercury during the 1999 WNBA Draft. She was left unprotected in the expansion draft the following year, and was chosen by the Seattle Storm. She became the new franchise's go-to option, but the team finished with a cellar-dwelling 6-26 record.
The next year, the Storm drafted its first superstar, Lauren Jackson, and Campbell was traded to the Sacramento Monarchs for Katy Steding and a draft pick. During the second of her four seasons in Sacramento, Campbell was diagnosed with breast cancer. She received treatment and was welcomed back before the fans of her two most recent teams in the Monarchs' final game against Seattle during the 2002 season.
Campbell continues to play despite the cancer, and has become a symbol to some survivors of the disease. She is the WNBA's national spokesperson for its anti-cancer efforts with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. She received the league's Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award in 2003.
Campbell signed a free agent contract with the San Antonio Silver Stars in 2005.
Vital statistics
- Position: Guard
- Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
- College: University of Maryland, College Park, University of Texas
- Team(s): San Antonio Silver Stars