Born: 1966 (Boston, Massachusetts)
Biography:
Michelle Edwards (born March 6, 1966) is an American retired professional women’s basketball player. She was a member of the United States women’s national basketball team that claimed the bronze medal at the 1991 Pan American Games in Havana, Cuba. Edwards was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014.
Edwards was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. Unlike many notable basketball players, she did not pick up the game at a young age. She was athletic, but her court of choice was a tennis court. She also skied and dreamed of becoming the first black Olympic racer, although a case of frostbite cooled her interest in skiing.
During her early years, Edwards spent a lot of time with her older brother Rodney, visiting a local park. While her brother played basketball, Edwards usually stopped to play with other girls where the swings were located. As she became a teenager, she started noticing boys and would head over to the basketball court, not to play, but just to watch. Eventually, she overcame her shyness and joined in, quickly developing her skills and earning the nickname Ice because of her cool moves.
Edwards attended Cathedral High in Boston, where she played high school basketball and scored over 2000 points in her career. She became the first girl in Massachusetts history to reach that level and was later inducted into the high school Hall of Fame. It was during her time at Cathedral High that Alfreda Harris, a Boston educator and founder of the Shelburne Center, noticed Edwards and persuaded her to join a local AAU basketball team. Harris’s influence would later lead Edwards towards a successful basketball career.
College coaches took notice of Edwards, and both the University of Virginia and the University of Southern California (USC) showed interest. Geno Auriemma, a young assistant coach from Virginia, was sent to recruit her. However, C. Vivian Stringer, who had cultivated a relationship with Harris while coaching at Cheyney State, was also interested in Edwards. Stringer had moved to take the head coaching position at the University of Iowa, and a woman interviewing for an assistant coaching position told Stringer about Edwards. Despite not having any contact information for Edwards, Stringer started calling all the Edwards listed in the Boston telephone directory until she found Michelle. This unconventional approach paid off, as Edwards chose to play for Stringer and the Iowa Hawkeyes.
In college, Edwards had a stellar career under Stringer’s guidance. She played a vital role in the Hawkeyes’ success and was recognized as an exceptional player. Edwards’s ability and dedication caught the attention of the national basketball community, and she received numerous accolades for her performances. Her contributions on the court helped propel the Iowa Hawkeyes to new heights.
After college, Edwards set her sights on the professional level and was allocated to the Cleveland Rockers in the 1997 WNBA draft. As a 5’9 guard, she played for both Cleveland and the Seattle Storm during her professional career, showcasing her skills and sportsmanship. Edwards’s impact on the game extended beyond her playing days; she also ventured into coaching, including a stint at Rutgers University.
Throughout her life, Michelle Edwards has been an inspiration to young athletes, particularly aspiring female basketball players. Her success and dedication have made a lasting impact on the sport and women’s athletics as a whole. Edwards’s achievements on the court, as well as her induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, have solidified her place in women’s sports history.
Awards:
– Inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014.