Women's Basketball History

Honoring the past, celebrating the present, and promoting the future of women’s basketball. The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame tells the incredible story of women’s basketball from all over the world, and brings that history to life with every visit.

Museum From Home

Spalding's official basketball ball guide for women, providing historical insight into the 1915 era of women's basketball.

Featured Artifact

The Hall of Fame featured artifact is a 1915 Spalding Official Guide for Women’s Basket Ball. The guide was edited by Senda Berenson Abbott. She is considered the “Mother” of women’s basketball. She wrote the first rules for women’s basketball, having the first ones published in 1899. Senda was inducted posthumously into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.

Welcome to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame’s Museum From Home. If you are looking for things to do with your children, resources to keep students engaged, ways to spend your time learning about something new, or just taking a moment to enjoy items from our collection, please explore!

Trivia Timeout


Need a quick break? Take a Trivia Timeout with us! Test your women's basketball knowledge with the WBHOF Trivia Timeout Quiz!




WBHOF & Professional Basketball Leagues

INDUCTEE HIGHLIGHT

In the history of women's basketball, a skilled player leaps into the air and successfully dunks the ball.

Lisa Leslie (Class of 2015)

Did you know Lisa was the first person to dunk in a WNBA game? In twelve seasons in the WNBA, she led the Los Angeles Sparks to two championships in 2001 and 2002 being named the Finals MVP. She was a eight-time first team All-WNBA, seven-time WNBA All-Star, four-time second team All-WNBA, three-time WNBA MVP, three-time All-Star Game MVP, and two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year.

ARTIFACT HIGHLIGHT

The history of women's basketball in the WWL Pro Women's Basketball League.

WBL (2018 Trailblazers of the Game)

This program is from the Women’s Professional Basketball League (WBL), did you know the WBL was the first professional women’s basketball league in the United States? The WBL lasted three seasons from 1978 to 1981. The league was created by sports promoter Bill Byrne and feature eight teams during its inaugural season.

QUICK ACTIVITIES

Explore the quick activities relating to the history of women's basketball by WBHO.

WBHOF QUICK ACTIVITIES

Click below for some fun, educational and quick WBHOF Activities and to learn more about the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

WBHOF & High School Girl's Basketball

INDUCTEE HIGHLIGHT

A man in glasses is pointing to his team during a basketball game, highlighting their remarkable teamwork and skills.

Joe Lombard (Class of 2016)

Did you know Joe won 19 state titles in his 42-year high school coaching career? In his first year of coaching at Nazareth High School, he guided his team to the State title. He received the 2015 Morgan Wooten Special Achievement Award from Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame

ARTIFACT HIGHLIGHT

A box of cereal featuring a basketball team image, highlighting the history of women's basketball.

Brad Smith (Class of 2015)

This box of Team Cheerios highlights Brad Smith and the Oregon City girls’ high school basketball team. Did you know he has guided Oregon City to 10 state titles? He was also a six-time Oregon Coach of the Year and was named Oregon City Citizen of the Year in 2007.

QUICK ACTIVITIES

Explore the quick activities relating to the history of women's basketball by WBHO.

WBHOF QUICK ACTIVITIES

Click below for some fun, educational and quick WBHOF Activities and to learn more about the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

WBHOF & The Media

INDUCTEE HIGHLIGHT

A woman in a blue jacket holding a microphone discussing the history of women's basketball.

Mimi Griffin (Class of 2014)

Did you know Mimi is considered to be the first broadcast expert for women’s basketball? She served as the “face” for women’s basketball in its early television exposure and laid the foundation and groundwork for women’s basketball on television. She was also the color analyst for the NCAA Women’s Final Four from 1985-1991.

ARTIFACT HIGHLIGHT

The emmy award trophy, a symbol of excellence in television, is shown on a white background.

Robin Roberts (Class of 2012)

This is Robin Roberts 1996 Emmy Award for her work at ESPN covering women’s basketball. Did you know she earned three Emmy Awards while working for ESPN? She was the 2001 WBCA Mel Greenberg Media Award winner, the 2004 Billie Jean King Contribution Award winner, and the 2008 WNBA Inspiration Award recipient.

QUICK ACTIVITIES

Explore the quick activities relating to the history of women's basketball by WBHO.

WBHOF QUICK ACTIVITIES

Click below for some fun, educational and quick WBHOF Activities and to learn more about the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

WBHOF & Great Players

INDUCTEE HIGHLIGHT

Texas a & m women's basketball player celebrates after scoring a basket, contributing to the rich history of women's basketball.

Sheryl Swoopes (Class of 2017)

Did you know Sheryl holds the record for most points scored in a NCAA DI National Championship game with 47 in 1993? She was named the Naismith Player of the Year and WBCA Player of the Year in 1993. She was also inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.

ARTIFACT HIGHLIGHT

A basketball with a signature on it, showcasing the history of women's basketball.

Jasmina Perzic (Class of 2014)

This basketball honors Jasmina’s 1,000 points scored at the University of Maryland. Did you know she was the first Kodak basketball All-American at Maryland? Her jersey is one of only three retired by the University of Maryland and she ranks 10th all-time in scoring for the Terps.

QUICK ACTIVITIES

Explore the quick activities relating to the history of women's basketball by WBHO.

WBHOF QUICK ACTIVITIES

Click below for some fun, educational and quick WBHOF Activities and to learn more about the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

WBHOF & Great Coaches

INDUCTEE HIGHLIGHT

A coach pointing to a player on the court, demonstrating their expertise in women's basketball.

Geno Auriemma (Class of 2006)

Did you know Geno has guided Connecticut to 11 NCAA National Championships? He captured his first NCAA Division I National Championship in 1995, and the Hall of Fame has his championship ring from that year on display. He has also won eight Naismith Coach of the Year awards.

ARTIFACT HIGHLIGHT

A collection of bobbleheads representing notable women in the history of women's basketball.

WBHOF Display Bobble Heads

These bobble heads are on displayed at the WBHOF and highlight a few of the great coaches that have been inducted into our Hall of Fame! Did you know the Hall of Fame inducts individuals in the following categories; Contributor, Coach, Veteran Coach, Official, Player, International Player and Veteran Player. For teams, leagues and/or organizations, the Hall of Fame gives out its “Trailblazers of the Game” award.

QUICK ACTIVITIES

Explore the quick activities relating to the history of women's basketball by WBHO.

WBHOF QUICK ACTIVITIES

Click below for some fun, educational and quick WBHOF Activities and to learn more about our Hall of Fame “Trailblazers of the Game” recipients.

WBHOF & Great Moments in Basketball

INDUCTEE HIGHLIGHT

A basketball coach discussing the history of women's basketball with a group of girls.

Leta Andrews (Class of 2010)

Did you know Leta Andrews became the winningest high school basketball coach in the country in 2010 & finished her career with 1,416 wins. She was named the 1993 Outstanding American Coach/Teacher of the Year by the Walt Disney Company and she was the recipient of the inaugural Morgan Wootten Award: For Lifetime Achievement in Coaching High School Basketball.

ARTIFACT HIGHLIGHT

A green jersey showcasing the rich history of women's basketball with a magazine nearby.

This jersey & Sports Illustrated magazine highlights one of the greatest Final Fours as Arike Ogunbowale made two buzzer beaters to led Notre Dame to the 2018 National Championship. Did you know Muffet McGraw has guided Notre Dame to two NCAA Division I National Championships (2001, 2018).

QUICK ACTIVITIES

Explore the quick activities relating to the history of women's basketball by WBHO.

WBHOF QUICK ACTIVITIES

Click below for some fun, educational and quick WBHOF Activities and to learn more about our Hall of Fame Inductees.

WBHOF & International Basketball

INDUCTEE HIGHLIGHT

A woman in a green and yellow uniform holding a basketball, showcasing the history of women's basketball.

Paula Goncalves da Silva (Class of 2006)

Known as “Magic Paula” she played on Brazil’s National team for 22 years helping them to the 1996 silver medal in Atlanta. Did you know she played on her first national team at the age of 14 and she collected three Pan American Games medals, claiming a gold in 1991, a silver in 1987, and a bronze in 1983.

ARTIFACT HIGHLIGHT

An australian basketball uniform with the word goldmark on it, celebrating the history of women's basketball.

Michele Timms (Class of 2008)

This one piece uniform on display at the WBHOF belongs to Michele Timms, did you know she guided the Australian National Team to its first Olympic medal (bronze) in 1996? She was named the Women’s International Player of the Year in 1994 and 1996. She was also inducted into the Australian Sports Hall of Fame in 2003.

QUICK ACTIVITIES

Explore the quick activities relating to the history of women's basketball by WBHO.

WBHOF QUICK ACTIVITIES

Click below for some fun, educational and quick WBHOF Activities

WBHOF & Early Women's Basketball History

INDUCTEE HIGHLIGHT

A black and white photo of an older man wearing glasses, reflecting the history of women's basketball.

Harley Redin (Class of 1999)

Did you know Harley Redin guided Wayland Baptist Flying Queens to 6 AAU National titles. He compiled a 431-66 (.867 winning percentage) record in 18 years as the coach of the Flying Queens, winning the first 76 games he coached to complete Wayland’s 131-game winning streak in the 1950s. He was also a Marine Corps bomber pilot in World War II.

ARTIFACT HIGHLIGHT

A gold trophy commemorating the history of women's basketball next to a gold bracelet.

Lometa Odom (Class of 2011)

This trophy & bracelet belonged to Lometa Odom. Did you know Lometa was a part of the Wayland Baptist Flying Queens teams (1953-1958) that won 131 games in a row? She was the first Wayland Baptist player to pick up four consecutive AAU All-American Honors and the first woman inducted into the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame and the Texas Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame.

QUICK ACTIVITIES

Explore the quick activities relating to the history of women's basketball by WBHO.

WBHOF QUICK ACTIVITIES

Click below for some fun, educational and quick WBHOF & Early Basketball Activities

WBHOF & The Olympics

INDUCTEE HIGHLIGHT

A woman in a red uniform, a pioneer in the history of women's basketball, holding a basketball.

Teresa Edwards (Class of 2010)

Did you know Teresa is the only female basketball player to win five Olympic medals (four of them gold). The Eastman Trophy that is given to each inductee upon their induction into the WBHOF represents the hall’s mission statement to “honor the past, celebrate the present, and promote the future” of women’s basketball. The present figure in the statue is modeled after Teresa in her Olympic #4 jersey.

ARTIFACT HIGHLIGHT

Olympic medal in a display case highlighting the history of women's basketball.

Pat Summitt (Class of 1999)

This is Pat Summitt’s silver medal, which is on display at the WBHOF along with her 1976 uniform. She was a co-captain on the 1976 US Olympic Women’s Basketball Team that captured the silver in the very first Olympics for women’s basketball. Did you know only two countries (United States & Russia) have won gold medals in women’s basketball.

QUICK ACTIVITIES

Explore the quick activities relating to the history of women's basketball by WBHO.

WBHOF QUICK ACTIVITIES

Click below for some fun, educational and quick WBHOF & Olympic Activities

Ready to see how big your dreams can be?

Come experience the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, and let’s bring the story of women’s basketball to life.

Ready to see how big your dreams can be?

Come experience the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, and let’s bring the story of women’s basketball to life.

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