Born: 1962 (Lucedale, Mississippi)
Janice Faye Lawrence Braxton (born June 7, 1962) is an American professional women’s basketball player. She was born in Lucedale, Mississippi. Braxton was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
College:
Braxton played college basketball for Louisiana Tech, where she helped lead the Lady Techsters to national championships in 1981 and 1982. She made a significant impact on the court, becoming the leading scorer in the NCAA tournament and winning the tournament MVP award in 1982. Braxton’s exceptional skills and contributions to her team earned her the WBCA Player of the Year award in 1984. Her statistics during her time at Louisiana Tech demonstrate her talent and versatility, with impressive numbers in points, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, rebounds per game, and assists per game.
USA Basketball:
Braxton also made her mark on the international stage as a member of the USA national team. In 1983, she was part of the Pan American team that clinched the gold medal in Venezuela. Braxton then went on to represent the USA at the 1983 World Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The team had a strong performance throughout the tournament, winning six games but ultimately falling short to the Soviet Union in the final. Despite the loss, Braxton showcased her skills and averaged 8.9 points per game.
In preparation for the 1984 Olympics, Braxton joined the USA National team in the William Jones Cup competition in Taipei, Taiwan. The team dominated their opponents, winning by an average of nearly 50 points per game. Braxton played a crucial role in the team’s success, contributing an average of 6.7 points per game. Her efforts paid off as she won a gold medal with the USA Women’s Olympic basketball team in 1984.
Legacy and Recognition:
Braxton’s immense talent and accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. In 1987, she was rightfully inducted into the Louisiana Tech University Athletic Hall of Fame. She later received the highest honor in women’s basketball when she was elected to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. These well-deserved recognitions highlight Braxton’s significant impact on the sport and her enduring legacy.
Awards:
– Inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (2006)
– WBCA Player of the Year (1984)
– Gold Medal – Pan American Games (1983)
– Gold Medal – Olympic Games (1984)
– Inducted into the Louisiana Tech University Athletic Hall of Fame (1987)
Through her exceptional basketball career, Janice Lawrence Braxton has left an indelible mark on the sport. Her achievements both at the collegiate and international levels, as well as her influential role in women’s basketball, have solidified her as a true legend of the game.