Te'a Cooper Eyes WNBA Comeback After Four-Year Hiatus—'I Needed to Get Back in Shape'

Te'a Cooper, a former Los Angeles Sparks guard, is set to reclaim her place in the WNBA after almost four years out of the league. On a similar note, Angel McCoughtry also assured her WNBA comeback, stating that "age is just a number."

Cooper, who played her last season professionally in the United States in 2021, has been making her way back while playing professionally abroad for Tarbes Gespe Bigorre in the French Women's Basketball League.

Now, she's leveraging her time abroad to show the world that she still has a place at the top.

From WNBA to Entrepreneurship and Motherhood

Te’a Cooper Eyes WNBA Comeback After Four-Year Hiatus—'I Needed to

Cooper earned herself a name and reputation in the court with her playmaking talent and defense capabilities for the Sparks in 2020 and 2021. Yet she broke from the league to run her hair company business and care for her daughter, Stori, shared with NFL's Alvin Kamara, TMZ Sports reports.

Though her own priorities changed, her passion for basketball never disappeared. After enjoying time away from the court, Cooper felt she needed to be back at the game—but not before she rehabilitated her game, honed her skills, and regained her elite-level body to make a true bid for a WNBA roster spot.

Why Playing Overseas Is Key to Cooper's Comeback

Knowing that film and recent game experience are essential to drawing WNBA interest, Cooper signed with Tarbes Gespe Bigorre in France to show she still has it.

"I needed film," Cooper said. "I needed to get on a team again, I needed to get back in shape. I needed all the things."

Playing overseas has been a stepping stone for WNBA aspirants and veterans seeking to reboot their careers for years. Numerous top players, such as Breanna Stewart and Brittney Griner, have spent off-seasons playing abroad to hone their craft.

Cooper is hoping that her stint in France will expose her talent and preparedness for a return to the WNBA.

Speaking of overseas basketball, Gabby Williams left the WNBA after she slammed WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert about salary discrepancies. He later moved to Turkey and signed with Fenerbahce.

Does Te'a Cooper Have a Path Back to the WNBA?

The journey back to the WNBA will not be simple. The league is now more competitive than it has ever been, with few roster spots available and fresh young talent pouring in every year. But Cooper's experience, athleticism, and high basketball IQ might make her an appealing candidate to teams looking for depth at guard.

A few teams might be a good match for her, specifically, the teams that are looking for defensive guards who can push the ball upcourt and generate scoring chances. If she does well in France, WNBA scouts and general managers will surely take notice.

Outside his WNBA plans, Cooper threw a cryptic message on social media.

"When u think of all the ppl you've messed with, do yall think any of them is truly your soulmate?" the post read.

While she did not mention any name, fans speculate that it's about either her former partner Dwight Howard or Kamara, Marca reports.