Swin Cash, born Swintayla Marie Cash on September 22, 1979, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, is a retired professional basketball player and a celebrated figure in women’s sports.
Raised primarily by her mother, Cynthia Cash, in a working-class suburb of Pittsburgh, Swin grew up with a fierce determination that would define her illustrious career.
Today, she serves as the Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations and Team Development for the New Orleans Pelicans, a role she assumed in July 2024.
Beyond her professional achievements, Cash is a dedicated philanthropist, a wife to Steve Canal, and a mother to their two sons, Saint and Syer Cash-Canal.
Siblings
Swin grew up in a close-knit family alongside three siblings, two brothers, Stephen Menifee and Kevin Menifee, and a sister, Angelique Menifee.
Raised by their mother, Cynthia, in McKeesport, the Cash siblings experienced a childhood shaped by modest means and strong maternal influence.
Cynthia, a former high school basketball star herself, instilled a sense of toughness and perseverance in her children, qualities that Swin credits as foundational to her success.
Career
Cash first gained recognition at McKeesport Area High School, where she excelled on the court, earning WBCA All-American honors and MVP recognition at the WBCA High School All-America Game.
Her talent led her to the University of Connecticut (UConn), where she played under legendary coach Geno Auriemma.
At UConn, Cash helped the Huskies secure NCAA national championships in 2000 and 2002, with the latter season culminating in an undefeated 39-0 record.
Her standout performance in the 2002 Final Four earned her the Most Outstanding Player award.
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Selected second overall by the Detroit Shock in the 2002 WNBA Draft, Cash made an immediate impact. In her second season, she led the Shock to their first-ever WNBA championship in 2003.
She went on to win two more titles—again with Detroit in 2006 and with the Seattle Storm in 2010—teaming up with college roommate Sue Bird for the latter victory.
Over her 15-year WNBA career, Cash played for several teams, including the Chicago Sky, Atlanta Dream, and New York Liberty, retiring in 2016 with career averages of 10.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game across 479 games.
Internationally, Cash represented the United States, winning Olympic gold medals in 2004 (Athens) and 2012 (London).
After retiring, she transitioned into broadcasting, working as a studio analyst for networks like ESPN and MSG, before joining the New Orleans Pelicans’ front office in 2019.
Her promotion to Senior Vice President in 2024 reflects her continued influence in basketball operations.
Accolades
At UConn, Cash was a two-time NCAA champion (2000, 2002), a 2002 Kodak All-America First Team selection, and the 2002 Final Four Most Outstanding Player.
In the WNBA, she amassed three championships (2003, 2006, 2010), four All-Star selections (2003, 2005, 2009, 2011), and two All-Star Game MVP awards (2009, 2011).
She earned All-WNBA Second Team honors in 2003 and 2004 and was named to the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2011.
Cash also received the Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award in 2013 and was twice honored with the WNBA Cares Community Assist Award (2011, 2016) for her off-court contributions.
On the global stage, her two Olympic gold medals highlight her international prowess.
Cash’s legacy was cemented with her induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022.
She was also named to the WNBA’s Top 20@20 list in 2016 and the W25 in 2021, recognizing her as one of the league’s most influential players.
Beyond statistics, her work with Cash for Kids and Cash Building Blocks underscores her commitment to community, making her a champion in every sense.
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