The upcoming 2024 Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame induction is poised to celebrate an exceptional class of honorees. Among the esteemed inductees are Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus, former teammates renowned for their remarkable achievements with the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA. They will be joined by their former Lynx teammate, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, in what promises to be a captivating induction ceremony scheduled for April.
Moore, a standout athlete at UConn, etched her name in history by guiding her team to flawless seasons and national championships in 2009 and 2010. Subsequently, she was chosen as the No. 1 pick in the 2011 WNBA draft. Collaborating with Augustus at the Lynx culminated in four WNBA titles, with the team reaching the WNBA Finals in six out of seven seasons.
McWilliams-Franklin, acclaimed for her remarkable on-court skills, contributed to the Lynx’s title victory in 2011, having previously secured WNBA titles with the Detroit Shock in 2006 and 2008.
Moore and Augustus also distinguished themselves on the international stage, serving as Olympic teammates and securing gold medals with the U.S. national team. Moore, in particular, has been a dominant figure in the sport, earning accolades such as the Wade Trophy and leaving a significant impact during her eight seasons in the WNBA, where she was honoured as MVP in 2014.
Since her retirement in January, Moore has been actively involved in championing social justice causes and advocating for the case of Jonathan Irons, who spent over 20 years wrongfully imprisoned before being exonerated.
Augustus, on the other hand, has enjoyed a remarkable career, earning the distinction of national player of the year in 2005 and 2006, and showcasing her talent in the WNBA for 15 seasons, primarily with the Lynx.
The induction class is further enriched by the inclusion of veteran player Rita Gail Easterling, NBA/WNBA/college official Violet Palmer, and coaches Sue Phillips and Roonie Scovel. These individuals have left an enduring legacy in the realm of women’s basketball, and their contributions are being lauded as the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame marks its 25th anniversary.
In addition to this exceptional lineup, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame will also acknowledge Cheyney University as the recipient of the “Trailblazer of the Game” award, and present the “For the Love of the Game” award to the Afghan Resettlement Program. This award recognises a group of 13 coaches and players from Afghanistan who bravely continued playing basketball despite risking their lives.
The highly anticipated induction ceremony, slated for April 27, 2024, at the Tennessee Theater in downtown Knoxville, is certain to be a momentous occasion for all involved.