Rebecca Lobo
Getty Images / Bob Stowell
(October 6, 1973 - )
6 feet 4 inches / center
Born in Connecticut
Also known as: Rebecca Lobo-Rushin
High school basketball: Southwick-Tolland Regional High School, Massachusetts
College basketball: University of Connecticut
Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA): New York Liberty, Houston Comets, Connecticut Sunn
National Woman's Basketball League: Springfield Spirit
Sportscasting: ESPN reporter, analyst
Other: Rebecca Lobo has been an advocate on the topics of breast cancer and knee injury
Hall of Fame:
- Inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010
Married: Steve Rushin, writer, 2003; four children (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010)
Ann Meyers
Getty Images / Frazer Harrison
(March 26, 1955 - )
5 feet 9 inches / guard
Noted for:
- First woman to sign a free-agent contract with an NBA team (Indiana Pacers)
- First high school player to play on the U.S. national team
- Second woman to win a four-year athletic college scholarship
- First player drafted in the Woman's Professional Basketball Association (New Jersey Gems, 1978)
- Inducted into the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame, 1985
- Inducted as first woman in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, 1993
- Inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, charter member, 1999
Born in Milwaukee
Also known as: Ann Meyers Drysdale, Anne Meyers-Drysdale
High school basketball: Sonora High School, La Habra, California (also played softball, field hockey, tennis and badminton)
College basketball: UCLA Bruins women's basketball team
USA team world competition:
- US Olympic Women's Basketball: 1976 (silver medal)
- USA Women's Pan American Team: 1976 (gold medal), 1979 (silver medal)
- USA Women's FIBA World Championship for Women Team: 1979 (gold medal)
- USA Women's World University Games Team: 1977 (silver medal)
National Basketball Association (WNBA): 1980, signed contract with the Indiana Pacers, though she did not make the cut after try-outs
Women's Professional Basketball League (WPBL): 1978, New Jersey Gems
Sportscasting: She has been a network sports analyst on ESPN, CBS and NBC, including for NBC coverage of the 2000 Olympics and for ABC coverage of the 1984 Olympics.
Management: In 2011, Meyers was serving as president and general manager of the Phoenix Mercury, a team in the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association), and as vice-president for the Phoenix Suns, an NBA team.
Hall of Fame:
- Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993
- Inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999 (charter member)
- Inducted into the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame in 1985
Married: Ann Meyers married Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Don Drysdale in 1986. They had three children. Don Drysdale died in 1993.
Dave Meyers, who played college basketball at UCLA and professional NBA basketball with the Milwaukee Bucks, is Anne Meyers' brother.
Cheryl Miller
Otto Greule / Getty Images
(January 3, 1964 - )
6 feet 4 inches / forward
Born in California
High school basketball: Riverside Polytechnic High School
College basketball: University of Southern California (USC)
USA team world competition:
- US Olympic Women's Basketball: 1984, Los Angeles: gold medal
- USA Women's Pan American Team: 1983, gold medal
- USA Women's Goodwill Games Team: 1986, gold medal
Professional basketball: Drafted by the United States Basketball League, a men's league
Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA): Knee injuries kept her from playing professional basketball
Coaching:
- 1993 - 1995: Head coach at USC
- 1997 - 2000: coach and general manager for Phoenix Mercury, Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Sportscasting: commentator, reporter, analyst for TNT, TBS, ABC, NBC
Hall of Fame:
- Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1994
- Inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999
Family: brothers are NBA player Reggie Miller and baseball catcher Darrell Miller
Dawn Staley
Getty Images
5 feet 6 inches / guard
Born in Pennsylvania
High school basketball: Dobbins Tech High School, Philadelphia
College basketball: University of Virginia
USA team world competition:
- US Olympic Women's Basketball: 1996, 2000, 2004 (gold medals); assistant coach 2008 (gold medal)
International professional basketball: France, Italy, Brazil and Spain
American Baskeball League: Richmond Rage, 1996
Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA): Charlotte Sting, 1999; Houston Targets, 2005
Coaching: Temple University head coach, 2000; head coach, University of South Carolina, 2008
Pat Summitt
Getty Images / Jonathan Daniel
(June 14, 1952 - )
Noted for: winningest coach in NCAA basketball history (for men's or women's basketball)
Born in Tennessee
Also known as: Patricia Sue Head
High school basketball: Cheatham County, Tennessee
College basketball: University of Tennessee at Martin
USA team world competition:
- US Olympic Women's Basketball: co-captain first year women's basketball was included in the Olympics, 1976 (silver medal); coached 1984 team in 1894 (gold medal)
- USA Women's Pan American Team:
Coaching: since 1974: University of Tennessee Lady Vols
Recognition includes:
- Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000
- Inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999 (inaugural class)
- Named Naismith Basketball Coach of the Century, 2000
- #11 on Sporting News list of 50 Greatest Coaches of All Time (all sports) -- and the only woman on the list
Married: 1980 to R. B. Summitt, divorced 2007. One son.
Sheryl Swoopes
Doug Pensinger / Getty Images
6 feet 0 inches / guard/forward
Noted for: First player signed by any WNBA team
Born in Texas
Also known as: "female Michael Jordan"
Early basketball: Little Dribblers children's league; member of 1988 Texas State Championship Team
College basketball: South Plains College; Texas Tech (Lady Raiders)
USA team world competition:
- US Olympic Women's Basketball: 1996, 2000, 2004 (gold medals)
International professional basketball: played in Russia, Italy, Finland
Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA): Houston Comets, Seattle Storm, Tulsa Shock
Family: married 1995-1999, had one son. In 2005, announced she was gay, partner is Alisa Scott, basketball player and coach. More: WNBA Star Sheryl Swoopes Comes Out as a Lesbian
Margaret Wade
(December 30, 1912 - February 16, 1995)
Noted for: pioneer coach
Born in Mississippi
Also known as: L. Margaret Wade
High school basketball: Cleveland High School
College basketball: Delta State University
Coaching:
- Cleveland High School: 19 years
- Delta State University: 3 seasons, beginning in 1973 when Delta State reinstated women's basketball
Margaret Ward Trophy created 1978: an award for the top women's college player of the year
Hall of Fame:
- Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985
- Inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999
Nera White
(November 15, 1932 - )
Noted for: AAU All-American every year from 1955 to 1969; MVP of the team nine times
Born in Tennessee
College basketball: played for AAU women's basketball team in Nashville while she attended George Peabody College for Teachers
USA team world competition:
- World Championship: 1957
Hall of Fame:
- Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992
- Inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999
Other sports: Nera White also played softball, honored with several awards.
Lynette Woodard
Getty Images / Tony Duffy
(August 12, 1959 - )
guard
Noted for: first woman to play with the Harlem Globetrotters team
Born in Kansas
High school basketball: Wichita North High School
College basketball: University of Kansas -- All-American four times
USA team world competition:
- US Olympic Women's Basketball: 1984 (co-captain), gold medal; selected for 1980 team but US boycotted the 1980 Olympics
- USA Women's Pan American Team: 1983 (gold medal), 1991 (bronze medal)
- USA Women's Team, World University Games: 1979, gold medal
- USA Women's Team, World Championships: 1983 (silver medal), 1990 (gold medal)
International professional basketball: Italy, Japan
Harlem Globetrotters: 1985-1987
Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA): Cleveland Rockers, Detroit Shock
Coaching: University of Kansas
Other career: financial consultant, stockbroker
Hall of Fame:
- Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004
- Inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005
More about Lynette Woodard:
