When the New York Liberty selected Kym Hampton as the No. 4 pick in the 1997 WNBA elite draft, she knew she was stepping into something bigger than just basketball. Nearly three decades later, Hampton recalls that inaugural season with a mix of pride and grit—a time when the team’s identity was unmistakably "blue collar."

Hampton, who made history as the first player to score for the Liberty, tells PEOPLE that "the vibe was truly different" from day one. There were no grand speeches about making history; instead, an unspoken understanding united the team. "We knew how important this was without even saying it," she shares. "Everyone was there to take care of business."

The 1997 WNBA draft was a three-part process designed to build the league's eight teams. First came a player allocation to bring star power to each roster. Next was the "elite" draft for established veterans—many of whom had been playing overseas—where Hampton was selected. Finally, a four-round regular draft filled out the teams with college talent.

But not everyone believed in the Liberty from the start. At 34, Hampton was one of the league's oldest players, and the team quickly earned a reputation as the most seasoned squad in the WNBA. That veteran toughness didn't sit well with everyone. "I distinctly remember [head coach] Nancy Darsch not really liking the team," Hampton admits. "She wanted to rely more on collegiate players and was like, ‘Who are these players?’"

Yet the Liberty's mix of experience and determination proved powerful. Anchored by Hampton, Rebecca Lobo, Teresa Weatherspoon, Sophia Witherspoon, and Vickie Johns, the team embraced a gritty, defensive style that carried them all the way to the first-ever WNBA championship. "We were there to take care of business," Hampton says. "That was our identity."

Fast forward to 2024, and Hampton watched the Liberty finally capture their first championship win—a moment that brought her to tears. For a player who helped lay the foundation of the league, seeing how far the WNBA has come is a powerful reminder of that inaugural team's lasting legacy.