Born: November 1, 1961 (Ridgewood, New Jersey)
Died: June 13, 2018
Biography:
Anne Theresa Donovan (November 1, 1961 – June 13, 2018) was an American women’s basketball player and coach who left an indelible mark on the sport. Born in Ridgewood, New Jersey, Donovan displayed her athletic prowess at a young age. Standing tall at 6’8, she possessed remarkable skills that earned her accolades throughout her career.
Donovan attended Paramus Catholic High School in Paramus, New Jersey, where she led her team to consecutive undefeated seasons and secured two state championships. Her dominance on the court was evident as she averaged an impressive 25 points and 17 rebounds per game during her senior year.
Her standout abilities did not go unnoticed, and she became the most highly recruited female player in the nation. Her sister Mary, who had received limited offers, witnessed the flood of interest in her sibling. In 1979, Donovan received over 250 offers from various schools, including a personal plea from Penn State’s Joe Paterno. Despite the allure of Penn State, Donovan chose to follow the footsteps of Nancy Lieberman and enrolled at Old Dominion University (ODU).
At ODU, Donovan’s impact was immediate. In the 1979-80 season, she led the Lady Monarchs to the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) basketball championship, capturing the national title. Donovan’s remarkable performance earned her the distinction of being the first female recipient of the Naismith College Player of the Year award in 1983. Additionally, she was honored with the prestigious Honda Sports Award and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WCBA) Player of the Year award in the same year.
Donovan left an indelible mark on the ODU record books. She set career records for points (2,719), rebounds (1,976), and blocked shots (801). Moreover, she etched her name in the seasonal record section for most games played (38), most minutes played (1,159), most field goals (377), and field goal percentage (.640). Impressive indeed! Throughout her college career, she consistently averaged a double-double with 20 points and 14½ rebounds per game.
Following her illustrious college career, Donovan transitioned into the world of professional basketball. She embarked on a journey to make an everlasting impact on the sport that had been her passion. As a player, Donovan achieved remarkable success, winning two Olympic gold medals and taking part in three Final Fours.
In 1995, Donovan was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame, recognizing her illustrious playing career. Her contributions to the sport did not end there. She continued to break barriers as the first woman to coach a WNBA Championship team when she guided the Seattle Storm to their first title in 2004. At 42 years old, she was also the youngest person to achieve such a feat. Donovan’s coaching prowess extended to international success, notably coaching the 2008 United States Women’s Basketball team to Olympic gold.
Her achievements were further recognized when she became a member of the inaugural class at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999. In 2015, Donovan received another well-deserved honor as she was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame, solidifying her status as one of the greatest minds in women’s basketball.
Anne Donovan’s coaching career also included stints with the Indiana Fever, Charlotte Sting, New York Liberty, and Connecticut Sun. She paved the way for future generations of female coaches, showcasing the impact women can have on the game at the highest level.
Awards:
– Naismith College Player of the Year (1983)
– Honda Sports Award (1983)
– WBCA Player of the Year (1983)
– Enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame (1995)
– Inaugural inductee at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (1999)
– Inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame (2015)