Washington Generals, Longtime Foes of Globetrotters, Sign Nancy Lieberman

Nancy Lieberman, one of the best players in the history of women’s basketball, has signed with the Washington Generals, the long-time foes of the Harlem Globetrotters, officials announced Tuesday.

Lieberman, a former Olympic silver medalist and All-American at Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women champion Old Dominion, will join the Generals on their European tour against the Globetrotters. She is expected to match up against Sandra Hodge and Joyce Walker.

The 5-foot 10-inch point guard, a native of New York, became the first woman to play in a men’s pro league when she appeared with the Long Island Knights and Springfield Fame of the U.S. Basketball League in 1986.

Before that, she helped the Dallas Diamonds to championships in the now-defunct Women’s Basketball League and Women’s American Basketball Assn.