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WBHOF Class of 2024

by Last updated Apr 29, 2024Baron Rings

“Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present, Promote the Future.”

The WBHOF Class of 2024 Enshrinement Ceremony took place on April April 27, 2024, at 5:30 PM. Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, and Rita Easterling lead the prestigious inductees. View the Class of 2024 introduction below.

WBHOF 2024

April 29, 2024 – We at Baron® express our gratitude for being included in the WBHOF Class of 2024 Enshrinement.

The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductees were announced on November 30, 2023.

Among the distinguished inductees are four-time WNBA Champions and former Minnesota Lynx teammates Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus, alongside their fellow Lynx alum Taj McWilliams-Franklin.

Joining these celebrated players is Rita Gail Easterling, a standout in the Women’s Professional Basketball League (WBL) and former Mississippi College star.

The Class of 2024 inductees include Seimone Augustus, Rita Gail Easterling, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Maya Moore-Irons, Violet Palmer, Sue Phillips, and Roonie Scovel.

The 2024 Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony, took place on April 27, 2024, in Knoxville, TN, at the Tennessee Theatre.

@ baronchampionshiprings

“Excited to be onsite at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame to celebrate its 25th anniversary and honor the incredible Class of 2024! From trailblazers to game-changers, these women have left an indelible mark on the sport 💍🏀”

“Seimone Augustus, Rita Gail Easterling, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Maya Moore-Irons, Violet Palmer, Sue Phillips, and Roonie Scovel are a stellar group. We celebrate them as the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame commemorates its’ 25th anniversary,” said Dana Hart, President of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

What distinguishes the 2024 Women's Basketball Hall of Fame class?

The 2024 class boasts a blend of iconic players, influential coaches, and trailblazing programs, reflecting the diverse contributions to women’s basketball.

How do Maya Moore-Irons and Seimone Augustus's legacies transcend their on-court achievements?

Maya Moore-Irons and Seimone Augustus’s impact extends beyond their accolades, with both players actively involved in social justice advocacy and community initiatives.

What significance do institutions like Cheyney University hold in women's basketball history?

Institutions like Cheyney University serve as trailblazers, showcasing the talent and resilience within historically marginalized communities and paving the way for future generations.

Each honoree received the Berenson Trophy, named after Sendra Berenson, who is considered to be the Mother of Women’s Basketball. Furthermore, the Class of 2024 will be presented with a Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Ring, symbolizing their induction into the esteemed ranks of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

Recognizing Excellence and Trailblazers

In addition to players and coaches, the WBHOF celebrates institutions and programs that have shaped the landscape of women’s basketball.

The Hall of Fame has honored Cheyney University with the “Trailblazer of the Game” award.

The “Lady Wolves” of Cheyney State College (now Cheyney University) is the only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to have won a women’s or NCAA Division I Basketball Conference/Regional Championship. It is also the first to have an all-African-American Coaching staff, led by Hall of Famer C. Vivian Stringer.

The Afghan Resettlement Program was presented with WBHOF’s “For the Love of the Game” award.

WBHOF states “A group of 13 coaches and players from Afghanistan. These young, brave, and courageous women’s basketball players embody the “For the Love of the Game” mantra, as they have risked their lives, leaving their families behind in Afghanistan in pursuit of the freedom to play basketball without fear.”

@ baronchampionshiprings

“It’s an honor to be a part of the @wbhof induction weekend!
“ABOUT TONIGHT.
@wbhof: Thank you to our sponsors @moolahkicks and @baronchampionshiprings for providing awesome gifts for our Class of 2024!”

WBHOF Class of 2024 Enshrinement

Seimone Augustus
  • Seimone Augustus was touted as the “Next Michael Jordan” by “Sports Illustrated” for Women’ when she was in high school
  • During her high school career, Augustus scored 3,600 points and picked up 1,728 boards
  • She was named the Naismith College Player of the Year and won the Wooden Award (2005) and the Wade Trophy (2006)
  • In her four years at Louisiana State University, Augustus led her team to three straight Final Four appearances
  • In 2007, August set her career high (39) she is also a Four-Time WNBA Champion
  • Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist
  • FIBA World Championship
  • FIBA Americas Championship
  • Drafted #1 by the Minnesota Lynx and earned WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2006
  • 2nd woman to be named “The Star Tribune’s” Sportsperson of the Year
Rita Gail Easterling
  • Rita Gail Easterling attended Morton High School (1970-1973) where she was First-Team All-State (1971-1973)
  • She was also selected as Mississippi Miss Basketball in 1973
  • In 1973, Easterling was named Mississippi High School All-Star and the Little Dixie Conference MVP
  • Easterling set an All-Time Career Assist record with 520 and she still holds the record for Field Goals Attempted (535) and Assists (273) in 1977
  • Rita Gail Easterling attended Mississippi College from 1973-1977
  • In 1977, she was named Kodak First Team All-American and she was selected to the “Who’s Who in American College Basketball” list
  • Rita Gail Easterling spent 1975-1977 in International Competition, where she was a member of two Championship Teams and one sliver medal team
  • Easterling had a storied career with the Chicago Hustle (WBL), while there she picked up two MVP Titles and set the WBL Single Game Assist record
  • In 1977, she led the Lady Choctaws to a #9 National appearance in the National AIAW Tournament
Taj McWilliams-Franklin
  • Transferred to St. Edwards University after one year at George State University.
  • Named 1993 NAIA Player of the Year and Kodak All-American First-Team honors
  • Named to the 2005 and 2006 All-WNBA Second Team and earned a spot on the 2005 All-Defensive Second Team
  • McWilliams-Franklin was selected in the third round of the WNBA draft (1999) by the Orlando Miracle
  • Taj averaged 11.4 PPG, and 6.8 boards per game in over 13 years of play
  • Taj is also one of the 12 players to score 5,000 career points
  • Her 1,062 rebounds are the most in the league’s history
Maya Moore-Iron
  • Maya Moore was a four-year starter at Collins Hill High School
  • During her high school career, Moore boasted a 25-3 record, with three Georgia State titles and a National Trophy
  • Throughout her college career, UConn’s record was 150-4
  • In her 4 years at UConn, Moore and the Huskies went on a 90-game winning streak
  • In 2016, Moore became the first pro athlete (man or woman) ever to notch three titles (Rookie of the Year, All-Star MVP, and League MVP) in only five seasons of play
  • 2010 World Championship (Czech Republic)
  • 2012 Olympic Gold Medal (Rio De Janeiro)
  • 2014 World Championship (Turkey)
  • 2016 Olympic Gold Metal (London)
  • Drafted #1 by the Minnesota Lynx and earned WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2021
  • Names to the 2016 Olympic Women’s Basketball Team and she helped Team USA win their 6th straight Gold Metal
Violet Palmer
  • Violet Palmer played as a point guard for Compton High School before attending California Polytechnic University, Pomona
  • Palmer led the Women’s Basketball Team to 2 NCAA DII Championships in 1995 and 1996
  • In 2006, Palmer became the first woman to oversee a post-season game for the NBA
  • 1991: Officiated her first DI Women’s Basketball Game
  • 1994-1997: Officiated the NCAA Women’s Final Four
  • 1995: Started training as an official for the NBA
  • 1997: Officiated the WNBA Championship
  • 1997: Made history as the first woman to referee an NBA game
  • Violet Palmer retired from officiating in 2016 NBA
  • Violet Palmer has officiated over 900 games in her career
  • She became the first woman to officiate an All-Star Game in any major United States sport in 2014
Sue Phillips
  • Sue Phillips’ record at Archbishop Mitty High School is 819-139
  • Phillips holds 27 League Titles, 25 Central Coast Section Titles, 16 Northern Califonia Titles, and 6 State Championships
  • In 2018, Phillips received the Naismith and WBA National Coach of the Year Awards
  • In 2018, Archbishop Mitty High School claimed the National Championship
  • In 2014, Phillips’ team went to the World Championship where they won Gold
  • In, 2019, Phillips received the Gatorade Coaching Excellence Award
  • Phillips’ 2013 FIBA Americas Team won the Gold Medal
Roonie Scovel
  • Head Coach at Gulf State Community College for 22 seasons with an overall record of 646-91 (877)
  • Scovel led her team to 90-straight games during the 2000-2004 seasons
  • She is also a Three-Time Spalding Coach of the Year: 2016, 2017, 2019
  • Scovel is a Six-Time NJCAA National Champion as well as a Six-Time NJCAA National Coach of the Year
  • Won 18 Conference Championships and 14 Regional titles
  • Named the 2019 US Marine Corps/WBCA Two-Year College Coach of the Year
WBHOF Class of 2024

Baron® Championship Rings is the official supplier of Hall of Fame Rings for the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame celebrated the Class of 2024 in a spectacular Enshrinement Ceremony held on April 27, 2024, at the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville, TN.

Seimone Augustus, Rita Gail Easterling, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Maya Moore-Irons, Violet Palmer, Sue Phillips, and Roonie Scovel were honored as the WBHOF Class of 2024. The celebration continued with the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame commemorating their 25th anniversary.

In addition to individual honors, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame recognized Cheyney University with the Trailblazer of the Game Award and the Afghan Resettlement Program received the For the Love of the Game Award.

Each inductee, with remarkable achievements in their respective categories, was celebrated for their significant contributions to the sport.

Congratulations to the inductees of the WBHOF Class of 2024! We appreciate and acknowledge your numerous accomplishments within the basketball community.

Baron® is the Official Ring Supplier to the WBHOF

Baron® Championship Rings is the Official Championship Ring provider to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, providing the Hall of Fame Rings presented each year to new inductees into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame Inductee Ring signifies the inductee’s stories of achievement and represents a trophy that they can wear daily.

Each WBHOF Hall of Fame Ring is designed with the induction category, year of induction, and inductee name. Baron® Championship Rings preserves the memory of induction for a lifetime.

Are you looking to design a custom Hall of Fame Ring? Contact us through the form and we’ll guide you to creating your own Hall of Fame Ring.

Baron List | Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame

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