Tina Thompson, Katie Smith lead 2018 Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame class

HOUSTON - AUGUST 2: Katie Smith
HOUSTON - AUGUST 2: Katie Smith

A remarkable group of seven women received the honor of induction into the 2018 Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, with public word coming during halftime of Monday night’s Connecticut-Louisville game.

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Tina Thompson, Katie Smith and Chamique Holdsclaw all enter the Hall as players. Ceal Barry, Mickie DeMoss and Chris Dailey each received the honor as coaches, with Rose Marie Battaglia earning entry as a veteran contributor.

Dailey received a standing ovation from the Gampel Pavilion crowd coming out for the second half after they were informed she received the honor during halftime.

“It’s a little embarrassing when we’re in the middle of the game, but our fans appreciate everything we do,” Dailey told ESPN’s Holly Rowe following the game.

Seeing Dailey and DeMoss, two key components of the two greatest programs in the history of women’s basketball in Connecticut and Tennessee, reflects an understanding of how significant a role each played in helping Geno Auriemma and Pat Summitt build.

As for Thompson and Smith, their 60.52 and 59.61 win shares rate third and fifth, respectively, in the history of the WNBA. Holdsclaw made six all star teams after starring for some of the greatest Tennessee teams Pat Summitt ever coached.

The group will be inducted on June 9, 2018 in Knoxville. Smith can’t stick around too long, though: her Liberty host the Fever on June 10 in White Plains.