NY Liberty head coach Katie Smith named to WBH Fame Class of 2018
The New York Liberty head coach Katie Smith was named to the seven-member Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2018 it was announced on Monday evening. Smith is joined by Ceal Barry (coach), Rose Marie Battaglia (veteran, contributor), Chris Dailey (contributor – assistant coach), Mickie DeMoss (contributor – assistant coach), Chamique Holdsclaw (player) and Tina Thompson (player) in the 20thAnniversary Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Class.
“I am humbled and honored to be chosen as a member of such a prestigious group of athletes who have given their all for this game we love,” said Smith. “Basketball has taken me from Logan, Ohio to places I never would have dreamed. I am grateful to everyone who has touched my life through this sport.”
Smith is one of the most decorated players in the history of women’s basketball, retiring following the 2013 season as the all-time leading scorer in women’s professional basketball history with 7,885 points, and she ranked second all-time in the WNBA with 6,452 points.
In the WNBA, Smith was a two-time champion (2006, 2008), Finals MVP in 2008, and a seven-time All-Star, being voted as one of the top-15 players in WNBA history in 2011, and one of the 20 best and most influential players in 2016.
Smith’s accomplishments reach far beyond the WNBA. At the international level, Smith won three Olympic gold medals as a member of the U.S. Women’s Basketball National Team (2000, 2004, 2008), to go along with a pair of World Championship gold medals (1998, 2002).
Collegiately, she starred at Ohio State University, helping guide the Buckeyes to the NCAA Championship game as a freshman, and going on to break the Big Ten all-time scoring record for both men and women. Ohio State retired her number in 2001, making her the first female athlete in school history to have her number retired.
The New York Liberty 2018 season tips off on May 20 against the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Ill. For the 2018 home opener at Westchester County Center, the Liberty welcome the defending champion Minnesota Lynx on Friday, May 25, at 7:30 PM.
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