By Neel Arora

(AXcess News) Washington - The Phoenix Mercury won its first title in 2007 when assistant coach  Julie Hairgrove was pregnant with her second child. The team won the WNBA title again last year when she was pregnant with her third.

President Barack Obama did not miss the opportunity to point this out at a ceremony Monday honoring the team for its accomplishments as part of a White House tradition of  presidential recognition for reigning sports team champions.  

"I understand the team is trying to talk her and her husband into their fourth," Obama said, to laughter.

Obama thanked the team for setting a good example for his family.

"I live with three tall, good-looking women who are quite competitive and push me around under the boards all the time," he said. "When they see you guys every day, that helps them."

First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughters did not make it to the event. Tangela Smith, the Mercury's center, said that will inspire her to win another title so she can meet them the next time.

"This was the greatest experience of my life. It was so exciting," Smith said in a phone interview after the ceremony. "It was such an honor just to be up their and meet him."

After the ceremony, the team participated in a service project with local youths. The team had the opportunity to play on Obama's court. But the president did not join them.

"He said he had things to do," Smith said.

But if they ever do meet on the court, Smith said the players would not take it easy just because he's president.

"We might let him make one shot," she said. "Just one."

Obama commended Smith for becoming the fourth player to score 4,500 career points and bring down 2,000 rebounds.

And he congratulated the Mercury for putting forth a team effort.

"This is a true team," Obama said. "When Diana [Taurasi] was named finals MVP, she turned around and gave the trophy to her teammates. She said, 'Its not one player that makes an MVP, it never has been ... and never will be.'"

But Obama's favorite moment came toward the end.

"I like getting my gear," he said, as Smith and Taurasi presented him with a Mercury jersey that bore his name. "Nice, Yeah! Look at that."

Source: Scripps Howard Foundation Wire