NEW YORK, Sept 18 - Sheryl Swoopes edged Australian center Lauren Jackson by two votes in the closest-ever balloting for the Women’s National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player award announced here Sunday.
Swoopes, a forward for the Houston Comets, received 327 points to 325 for Seattle’s Jackson, who had 20 first-place votes to 16 for Swoopes from US reporters and broadcasters.
Each had 15 second-place votes but Swoopes received seven third-place nods and nine fourth-place ballots while Jackson garnered only one third, three fourth and six fifth-place votes.
Each voter selected a top five with players receiving 10 points for top nods, seven for second, five for third, three for fourth and one for fifth.
Swoopes became the first three-time MVP winner, having won the award previously in 2000 and 2002. Jackson captured the honour in 2003. Lisa Leslie of Los Angeles won it last year.
Swoopes, a nine-year veteran, led the Women’s NBA with 18.6 points a game, ranked second in steals with 2.65 a game and also contributed 4.3 assists a game. Her 37.1 minutes a game were the most of any player in the league.
Jackson averaged 17.6 points and 9.2 rebounds a game.