University of Minnesota Athletics
Whalen Tabbed as First Ballot Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Finalist
2/18/2022 1:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota head coach Lindsay Whalen took another step toward the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday as the museum announced its finalists for the Class of 2022 that included the former Golden Gopher standout, WNBA great and Olympic gold medalist.
The Gophers women's basketball coach joined by Leta Andrews, Swin Cash, Michael Cooper, Hugh Evans, Manu Ginóbili, Tim Hardaway, Bob Huggins, Marques Johnson, George Karl and Marianne Stanley as finalists.
Whalen returned to the Gophers after destroying the program's record book in the early 2000s, finishing her career as Minnesota's all-time points leader, along with being second all-time in assists and third all-time in steals. A four-time all-state selection at Hutchinson High School, about an hour west of Minneapolis, Whalen went on to become the catalyst for the most successful seasons in the history of Gopher women's basketball.
Whalen led the Gophers to the Women's Final Four as a player before winning four WNBA titles with the Lynx. A six-time WNBA All-Star and three-time All-WNBA first-team selection, she is also the league's career leader in games won at 307. She averaged 11.5 points, 4.9 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game in her career with the Connecticut Sun and the Lynx.
In international competition, Whalen was a key piece to dominant performances by Team USA in world championship and Olympic competition. Whalen played for two gold medal teams at the World Championships (2010, 2014) and has also won two Olympic gold medals (2012, 2016).
The next step for Whalen and the rest of the Class of 2022 will be in April, when the class is officially revealed during the NCAA Men's Final four in New Orleans. The enshrinement ceremony will be held Sept. 9-10, 2022 in Springfield, Mass.
For more information on the Gophers, continue to check back with GopherSports.com. Keep up with the University of Minnesota women's basketball on Twitter and Instagram (@GopherWBB) and on Facebook, so you do not miss any content during the 2021-22 season.
The Gophers women's basketball coach joined by Leta Andrews, Swin Cash, Michael Cooper, Hugh Evans, Manu Ginóbili, Tim Hardaway, Bob Huggins, Marques Johnson, George Karl and Marianne Stanley as finalists.
Whalen returned to the Gophers after destroying the program's record book in the early 2000s, finishing her career as Minnesota's all-time points leader, along with being second all-time in assists and third all-time in steals. A four-time all-state selection at Hutchinson High School, about an hour west of Minneapolis, Whalen went on to become the catalyst for the most successful seasons in the history of Gopher women's basketball.
First Ballot @Hoophall FINALIST!@Lindsay_13 | #Gophers pic.twitter.com/2RMV7HwyfC
— Minnesota Women's Basketball (@GopherWBB) February 18, 2022
Whalen led the Gophers to the Women's Final Four as a player before winning four WNBA titles with the Lynx. A six-time WNBA All-Star and three-time All-WNBA first-team selection, she is also the league's career leader in games won at 307. She averaged 11.5 points, 4.9 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game in her career with the Connecticut Sun and the Lynx.
In international competition, Whalen was a key piece to dominant performances by Team USA in world championship and Olympic competition. Whalen played for two gold medal teams at the World Championships (2010, 2014) and has also won two Olympic gold medals (2012, 2016).
The next step for Whalen and the rest of the Class of 2022 will be in April, when the class is officially revealed during the NCAA Men's Final four in New Orleans. The enshrinement ceremony will be held Sept. 9-10, 2022 in Springfield, Mass.
For more information on the Gophers, continue to check back with GopherSports.com. Keep up with the University of Minnesota women's basketball on Twitter and Instagram (@GopherWBB) and on Facebook, so you do not miss any content during the 2021-22 season.
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