Swin Cash on playing overseas in China.
by Swin Cash / @SwinCash
Hello world…allow me to reintroduce myself!
(In my best Jay-Z voice) My Name is Swin Cash, I play in the WNBA, and I’m a graduate of that school people love to hate, UConn! I’m originally from McKeesport, PA which is just 
15 minutes outside of Pittsburgh. I’ve been representing BLACK and YELLOW ever since I could yell “touchdown!” There’s nothing like Steeler Nation; if you don’t know, you better ask somebody.
I’m also a child of God but don’t let the smile fool you; I have no problem putting anyone in check when foolishness is involved! I’ve been blessed and fortunate to do a lot of amazing things throughout my career on and off the floor. If you still have no idea who I am or why you’re reading this blog, check out swincash.com for a crash course in Swin Cash 101.
First thing’s first; let me say how excited I am to start my blogging experience here with SLAMonline. I’ve been asked to write a blog before, but at this point in my career and with what I have planned for ‘11-12, SLAM was a perfect fit. For those of you who follow me on twitter (@swincash) you know I am not afraid to speak my mind on any issue. Don’t get me wrong, basketball will always be my first love. Getting paid to have fun is pretty dang good if you ask me. I just have social awareness and understand there are always issues bigger than the game I love. As I got older, I realized that the knowledge and experience I have gained isn’t mine to keep. “Give and he’ll give it back to you” is what my nana Dolly Cash (RIP) used to say!
With this blog I’m going to take yenz (as we say in Pittsburgh) through my experiences on and off the court in China. More often than not the fan experience is limited to just the game, which I hope will change in the future. You always see the finished product but never the hard work and sacrifice that go into a championship team and season. So, without further ado, welcome to “Cash Beyond Borders.”
I made a “firm” decision, as Diana Taurasi likes to say, about coming to China. After weighing offers from European clubs and American TV networks, I chose to return for a second season in China.
The three factors in how I came to my decision were:
1. The team owner made me a great offer to play for three months in Dongguan, a city in southern China approximately 45 minutes from Hong Kong. I always find it hilarious when people ask players, ‘Why did you decide to play overseas?’ and the players say it’s the culture. Haha! Keep it 100 percent people! No one just up and leaves home, family and friends for the culture. If you did, fire your agent!
2. China is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Every major company and former/current NBA player is trying to tap into this market, and if you know anything about me it’s that Mama didn’t raise no fool!
3. I really like my teammates. They are amazing young women who teach me about Chinese culture and I teach them that everything on TV in America or radio doesn’t mean it’s hot! Although when they start blasting Jay-Z on the way to our last game you better believe I joined in to the head bop!
I hope through my blog here at SLAMonline, swincash.com and twitter (@swincash) you will gain a better understanding of who I am and the common respect we share with all mankind when it comes to the game we all love. Send me your questions and comments early and often. I look forward to interacting with YOU…Jiayou!
P.S. If you sit behind a computer all day, have never touched a basketball in your life, and plan on telling me how bad the WNBA sucks…don’t waste your breath. We see through your insecurities. Ha!
Muah xoxo,
Swin
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