Anna Mathis – Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

Kim Mulkey: One of One

Greatness often reinvents itself, and Hall of Famer Kim Mulkey embodies that truth. A proven winner as both a player and a coach, she is the first and only person in NCAA history to win national championships as a player, assistant coach, and head coach. Across the 43-year history of the NCAA tournament, Mulkey has participated in every single one, except for 1985 and 2003, either competing on the court or on the sidelines.

Her career started as a player at Louisiana Tech from 1980 to 1984, where she won the inaugural NCAA Championship in 1982. Mulkey finished her collegiate career with an impressive 130-6 record, dominating in an era where women’s basketball lacked resources and recognition. She went on to play for Team USA, winning gold at the 1984 Olympic Games. Mulkey was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000 for her remarkable playing résumé.

Mulkey transitioned into coaching in 1985, where she returned to Louisiana Tech as an assistant coach to begin a new chapter of success. From 1985 to 2000, the Lady Techsters amassed a 430-68 record, played in seven Final Fours, and won the 1988 national championship. Mulkey landed her first head coaching position with Baylor in 2000. In her inaugural season as head coach, Baylor received its first-ever NCAA tournament bid, then went on to take them back 18 more times. Under her leadership, the Bears won the NCAA titles in 2005, 2012 and 2019, including an undefeated 40-0 season in 2012

After 21 seasons at Baylor, Mulkey came home to Louisiana. In 2021, she accepted the head coaching position at Louisiana State University (LSU). In just two years. Mulkey brought an NCAA Championship to Baton Rouge, adding another title to her decorated coaching career.

Regardless of where she has played or coached, Kim Mulkey has always been a distinct winner. Her legacy spans across generations, growing into something uniquely of its own, and built on an unwavering commitment to excellence.

About the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

Founded in 1999, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (WBHOF), located in Knoxville, Tennessee, honors the greatest players, coaches, contributors, and officials in women’s basketball history. The WBHOF is the only facility of its kind, recognizing excellence at all levels of the sport, from high school and collegiate competition to professional and international play. The Hall is home to more than 200 inductees and works to preserve the legacy of women’s basketball through its museum, educational programming, special events, and annual induction ceremony.

Contact

Zadie Fiveash, Communications Manager

zadie@wbhof.com

865-633-9000 ext 236

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Barbara Stevens and Lorene Ramsey Named WeCOACH Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients

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The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame proudly celebrates Barbara Stevens (Class of 2006) and Lorene Ramsey (Class of 2000) as the recipients of the prestigious WeCOACH Lifetime Achievement Award. This honor is awarded to women in the sports industry whose leadership and achievements have fundamentally changed the trajectory of women’s sports.

Barbara Stevens’ coaching career is the epitome of greatness, reinforcing how consistency and unwavering commitment are essential for building a memorable legacy. During her 43-season career at Bentley University, Stevens amassed an impressive 1,058-291 record, becoming the only non-Division I coach to join the elite 1,000 wins club. From 1986 to 2020, she led the Bentley Falcons to multiple DII Final Fours, bringing the program their first National Championship title in 2014 after an unforgettable 35-0 season.

As the winningest coach in Division II history, Stevens is a five-time WBCA Division II National Coach of the Year and a 16-time Northeast 10 Coach of the Year. Excellence has always been Stevens’ standard, and her influence on the game continues to reflect that.

Lorene Ramsey is a true pioneer of women’s basketball, creating opportunities for female athletes before Title IX. In an era defined by limited resources and various societal barriers, she redefined the Illinois Central College women’s athletic program. She began her career as a softball coach, leading the team to an 840-309 record and two NJCAA National Championships. She then transitioned to the women’s basketball program where she compiled an 887-197 record, winning five national titles.

Ramsey’s decorated resume earned her an induction into fourteen Halls of Fame and numerous National Coach of the Year accolades. Ramsey’s dedication and vision for women’s athletics helped advance gender equity in college sports for the next generation.

The Hall of Fame is thrilled to celebrate Stevens’ and Ramsey’s careers being recognized with the WeCOACH Lifetime Achievement Award.

About the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

Contact

Zadie Fiveash, Communications Manager

zadie@wbhof.com

865-633-9000 ext 236

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The Court That Made Her: Weatherspoon’s Homecoming in the Unrivaled Semifinals

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Teresa Weatherspoon’s return to the Barclays Center is a full-circle moment. The former New York Liberty icon now stands on the brink of coaching in the Unrivaled semifinals on the same court where her career began.

Assigned to the New York Liberty during the first WNBA season, Weatherspoon’s tenacity and leadership carried the Liberty to the inaugural WNBA Finals game. Though the Liberty fell to the Houston Comets, Weatherspoon made history as the league’s first-ever Defensive Player of the Year. As a five-time All-Star who played in four WNBA Finals, she left a memorable mark on the New York Liberty franchise, helping cultivate their passionate fan base. In 2010, she was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame for her contributions as a player.

After retiring, Weatherspoon seamlessly transitioned from playing on the court to coaching on the sidelines. Coaching stints with the Westchester Phantoms, Louisiana Tech, New Orleans Pelicans, and Chicago Sky expanded her influence on the game of basketball and cemented her commitment to developing the next generation of talent.

Now leading Vinyl BC in Unrivaled, Weatherspoon is returning to Brooklyn with a championship game on the line. Vinyl’s 82–69 playoff win against the Laces on Saturday punched their ticket to the semifinals and set up a rich, symbolic storyline for Weatherspoon. The stage is set for Vinyl BC to take on Phantom BC at the Barclays Center, the same court where Weatherspoon immortalized herself as a New York Liberty legend. If Vinyl BC can defeat Phantom BC, Weatherspoon would secure victories on the same court in two different eras and in two different roles, a testament to her enduring legacy.

About the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

Contact

Zadie Fiveash, Communications Manager

zadie@wbhof.com

865-633-9000 ext 236

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How Dawn Staley Is Uplifting HBCU Women’s Hoops

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In college basketball, HBCU teams are often ignored, receiving minimal opportunities to elevate their programs to the next level. Dawn Staley is trying to change that narrative with her legendary platform. Since being hired in 2008, she has built a powerhouse dynasty with the South Carolina Gamecocks. In 2012, Staley was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame for her extensive accomplishments as a player.

Staley is persistent in her mission to increase the awareness of lesser-known women’s basketball programs. It is a rarity for national contenders to play on HBCU home courts, however, Staley understands how these games push women’s basketball forward. By scheduling games against HBCU programs, Staley helps ensure the national spotlight recognizes these teams.

For Dawn Staley, the view at the top is better with company. She is using her championship pedigree to empower the entire ecosystem of women’s basketball by intentionally directing attention to the talent embedded in HBCU programs that are commonly overlooked. Staley’s leadership and legacy extend far beyond her impressive win-loss record.

On January 18th, 2026, the Gamecocks traveled to Baltimore to face HBCU Coppin State. While Coppin State did not pull off an upset, the contest boosted their national exposure. The matchup drew in energized fans, with the arena nearly sold out at tipoff. Games like this improve HBCU visibility and encourage competitive balance across the NCAA. Iron sharpens iron, and competing against a team like South Carolina strengthens programs like Coppin State.

Dawn Staley is a true champion, advocating for an equitable and inclusive women’s basketball landscape. As the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame celebrates Black History Month, Staley is a remarkable example of Black excellence. Her legacy serves as a meaningful reminder that true trailblazers forge a path for everyone, not just for themselves.

About the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

Contact

Zadie Fiveash, Communications Manager

zadie@wbhof.com

865-633-9000 ext 236

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Unrivaled: A New Era of Off-Season Basketball

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Traveling overseas to play basketball during the offseason is nothing new for WNBA players. Rather than enjoying an off-season with loved ones and restoring their bodies, many players must travel to foreign countries to supplement their salaries. Even the league’s most accomplished players like Sue Bird and Sheryl Swoopes spent years playing in Europe, experiencing competition, fan engagement and higher pay opportunities that were unavailable in the United States.

Cue Unrivaled. An innovative 3 v. 3 league based in Miami that was designed by athletes for athletes. With a player-focused structure, Unrivaled provides WNBA players with a domestic alternative to sharpen their game and sustain financial security during the offseason. Backed by high profile investors such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Steph Curry, Alex Morgan and Dawn Staley, the league offers its players average salaries of $222,000. Each athlete also receives equity in Unrivaled.

Playing abroad takes a toll on athlete's wellbeing with the international and WNBA seasons often overlapping. There is no downtime to rest or experience life beyond basketball. Addressing this concern head-on, the Unrivaled season spans for just eight weeks. Having a shorter season gives players dedicated time to spend on rest, recovery, and family. Co-founders Naphessa Collier and Breanna Stewart have emphasized a player-centered approach, highlighted by access to state-of-the-art amenities, including recovery rooms, and childcare options.

Unrivaled could change the landscape of women’s basketball forever. With the second season underway, the league has recruited top talent like Paige Bueckers, Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum. Teresa Weatherspoon, head coach of Vinyl BC, is an accomplished former player. Her remarkable career earned her an induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2010. The league has an elite competitive foundation for players seeking an alternative to the traditional overseas pipeline. The league is halfway through their second season now, and Unrivaled continues to signal an exciting new era of professional women’s basketball.

Photo Credits to Unrivaled.

About the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

Contact

Zadie Fiveash, Communications Manager

zadie@wbhof.com

865-633-9000 ext 236

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