Violet Palmer, the only female ref now in the NBA, has worked men's pro games since 1995.

When she started (she says) she attracted lots of attention: "I was just hoping that as the years go, my ability to referee would stand out more than my just being a woman, because that's what's most important to me, to know players just respect me to do my job."

Tim Duncan now calls her "a solid official"; this season she may work her first NBA playoff games.