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What: “Cynthia Cooper: Raise the Roof”

When: Today, 10:30 a.m., ESPN2

If you want to show your kids an example of a real sports role model, or just see one for yourself, then set the VCR and tape this show. What you’ll see is an excellent profile, produced by NBA Entertainment, of Cynthia Cooper, the WNBA’s two-time most valuable player and also a most valuable person. The show, narrated by Robin Roberts, is part of a celebration of Black History Month on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Classic, which together are offering at least one program a day and more than 80 in all on African Americans in sports.

“I want to be a positive role model,” Cooper says. “I want to leave a mark on the world and make a difference.”

NBA players should watch the show to see what it takes to win back fans.

Cooper moved to South Central Los Angeles from Chicago at a young age, one of eight children of a single mother. She was a track, softball and volleyball star at Locke High when she took up basketball at 16. She played basketball at USC, where she was overshadowed by Cheryl Miller and Pam and Paula McGee, spent 11 years playing overseas, mostly in Italy, and then returned to the U.S. to become a superstar.

“Raise the Roof” comes from her trademark pumping of her arms after scoring. She says in the show she didn’t invent the move, she copied it from Houston Comet teammate Kim Perrot.

If some of the other shows match this one, ESPN’s Black History Month celebration should be a success. ESPN Classic will show “The Jackie Robinson Story” Sunday at 10 a.m., and ESPN’s “Scholastic Sports America” will profile an inner-city hockey team in Washington on Monday at noon.