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Yolanda Evette Griffith

Categories: Class of 2014
  • Griffith played at Palm Beach Junior College (1990-91) being named a 1991 Kodak Junior College All-American
  • Griffith was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Women’s Basketball All-Century Team
  • She transferred to Florida Atlantic University (1992-93) being named a 1993 Kodak Division II All-American and the 1993 WBCA Division II Player of the Year
  • Griffith holds the FAU single season record for points scored (621), scoring average (28.2), field goal % (.631), rebounds (352), and rebounding average (16.0), despite playing in just 22 games
  • In 2006, Griffith was inducted into the Florida Atlantic University Hall of Fame
  • Her professional basketball career spans over 16 years; Griffith has played professionally in the US, Germany, Russia, Italy, South Korea, and China, being named an All-Star in each league.
  • Griffith was the 1999 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and Most Valuable Player. The trinity was not accomplished by another player until 2008.
  • She played 11 years in the WNBA, leading the Sacramento Monarchs to a win in the 2005 WNBA Championship, where she was named Finals MVP. Yolanda led the Monarchs to back-to-back WNBA Finals appearances in 2005 and 2006
  • She was an eight time WNBA All-Star, two time All-WNBA First Team selection, three time All-WNBA Second Team selection, she was named to the WNBA All-Decade Team and the WNBA Top 15 Players of All Time
  • She was the 1998 American Basketball League (ABL) Defensive Player of the Year, and a 1998 All-ABL First Team selection.
  • Griffith finished 2nd in the ABL Most Valuable Player voting in 1998
  • She played in Germany for 1993-97, being the top scorer and rebounder (24.7 ppg, 16.0 rpg) in the EuroLeague in 1997.
  • In 2003, Griffith led UMMC Ekaterinburg to an EuroLeague Championship
  • She helped guide USA Basketball to two Olympic Gold Medals in 2000 and 2004.
  • Griffith is a current member of USA Basketball Women’s Developmental National Team Selection Committee
  • Yolanda currently serves as First Assistant Coach for the Lafayette College Women’s Basketball program
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