1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:09,800 Greetings my peeps and welcome to the All Things Basketball Podcast with your boy GD. 2 00:00:09,800 --> 00:00:13,680 In this episode this is my birthday special episode. 3 00:00:13,680 --> 00:00:20,160 I'll be doing a play of spotlight on the great Am Meyers Drysdale so just sit back, 4 00:00:20,160 --> 00:00:31,480 relax and enjoy the show. 5 00:00:31,480 --> 00:00:39,120 Okay guys so we are back once again your boy GD with the All Things Basketball Podcast. 6 00:00:39,120 --> 00:00:44,760 So this episode is going to be my special birthday episode. 7 00:00:44,760 --> 00:00:47,120 I always do special birthday episode. 8 00:00:47,120 --> 00:00:48,480 I did one last year. 9 00:00:48,480 --> 00:00:52,040 I covered the late great Bob Lanier. 10 00:00:52,040 --> 00:00:54,880 This year I wanted to do something a little different. 11 00:00:54,880 --> 00:00:58,120 I was watching the WNBA. 12 00:00:58,120 --> 00:01:04,040 I watched that weekend all the games that I was able to watch and I was able to catch 13 00:01:04,040 --> 00:01:08,120 Brittany Griner's home game in Phoenix. 14 00:01:08,120 --> 00:01:12,200 It was her first game back in Phoenix amongst the home crowd. 15 00:01:12,200 --> 00:01:19,400 Of course they gave her love and she got love also when she played in LA on that Friday. 16 00:01:19,400 --> 00:01:21,320 A lot of people came out for that. 17 00:01:21,320 --> 00:01:26,000 But this was her home game so you know a lot of people in that building was happy to see 18 00:01:26,000 --> 00:01:28,200 her back on the home court. 19 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:34,920 And this one particular person who has very close ties with the Phoenix Mercury. 20 00:01:34,920 --> 00:01:41,320 In fact she's the color analyst for the Phoenix Mercury and her name is synonymous with women's 21 00:01:41,320 --> 00:01:43,120 basketball. 22 00:01:43,120 --> 00:01:49,760 We know her as Ann Myers but her name now is Ann Myers Drysdale. 23 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:53,000 So let's talk about her guys. 24 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:54,720 Ann Myers Drysdale. 25 00:01:54,720 --> 00:02:02,160 She was born March 26, 1955 in San Diego, California. 26 00:02:02,160 --> 00:02:07,000 She grew to be 5'9", 134 pounds. 27 00:02:07,000 --> 00:02:09,180 She was a guard but she knows something. 28 00:02:09,180 --> 00:02:11,440 She could play multiple positions. 29 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:13,280 She was that good. 30 00:02:13,280 --> 00:02:17,880 And her full name at birth was Ann Elizabeth Myers. 31 00:02:17,880 --> 00:02:24,440 Her parents were Bob Myers who played, he played guard in his day at the University of 32 00:02:24,440 --> 00:02:31,520 Marquette and then as a pro he played in Milwaukee for a team called the Shooting Stars. 33 00:02:31,520 --> 00:02:36,040 So not NBA but another pro league nonetheless. 34 00:02:36,040 --> 00:02:39,480 And then her mother was Patricia. 35 00:02:39,480 --> 00:02:42,640 Amongst her siblings 11 children guys. 36 00:02:42,640 --> 00:02:46,120 So a lot of them took up athletics as well. 37 00:02:46,120 --> 00:02:50,640 So Ann was number 6 amongst the 11 children. 38 00:02:50,640 --> 00:02:54,200 It was 5 boys and 6 girls. 39 00:02:54,200 --> 00:02:56,440 Her older brother Dave. 40 00:02:56,440 --> 00:03:00,560 He was a former basketball player at UCLA. 41 00:03:00,560 --> 00:03:02,520 In fact he was all American. 42 00:03:02,520 --> 00:03:08,600 I'll give a little bit more of that later but he was a three time NCAA champ coached 43 00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:11,280 by the legendary John Wooden. 44 00:03:11,280 --> 00:03:16,560 And then later he would be drafted into the NBA and he would play professionally for the 45 00:03:16,560 --> 00:03:19,040 Milwaukee Bucks. 46 00:03:19,040 --> 00:03:22,160 And she had an older sister named Patty. 47 00:03:22,160 --> 00:03:25,760 Patty was the oldest of the children. 48 00:03:25,760 --> 00:03:29,720 And Patty, she was quite the athlete herself. 49 00:03:29,720 --> 00:03:34,280 Former basketball player, volleyball, softball also. 50 00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:40,480 She played at Fulton Junior College and then later at Cal State Fulton. 51 00:03:40,480 --> 00:03:48,720 It was there where her 1970 team won the AIAW national championship. 52 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:55,420 This was a predecessor to the NCAA tournaments and those championships. 53 00:03:55,420 --> 00:03:59,840 She also played AAU ball on the same team with Ann. 54 00:03:59,840 --> 00:04:04,840 So Ann was younger of course and her older sister Patty was on the team. 55 00:04:04,840 --> 00:04:08,560 She went on to coach at Pepperdine University as well. 56 00:04:08,560 --> 00:04:16,720 And she coached there for seven seasons, compiling a 46 and 70 record and let her team to three 57 00:04:16,720 --> 00:04:19,760 AIAW tournament appearances. 58 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:27,000 So Patty, someone that Ann really looked up to as well as her brother Dave of course. 59 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:30,720 She was the first star of the family if you will. 60 00:04:30,720 --> 00:04:38,000 So Ann, growing up in such an ultra competitive household that prepared Ann for the success 61 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:40,400 she would later enjoy. 62 00:04:40,400 --> 00:04:45,600 She started playing basketball at the tender age of four years old guys. 63 00:04:45,600 --> 00:04:47,080 Talk about starting early. 64 00:04:47,080 --> 00:04:48,080 Wow. 65 00:04:48,080 --> 00:04:53,560 She even broke her ankle trying to keep up with her older brother Dave as they were 66 00:04:53,560 --> 00:04:55,640 doing drills in the house and so forth. 67 00:04:55,640 --> 00:04:57,140 She broke her ankle. 68 00:04:57,140 --> 00:05:03,640 But nonetheless Ann persevered and we fast forward to her high school days. 69 00:05:03,640 --> 00:05:10,600 Initially she attended Connolly High School in Anaheim, California but would move on to 70 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:15,520 Sonora High School and that was in La Habra, California. 71 00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:21,400 And she went to that school because they felt that she was able to flourish better in a 72 00:05:21,400 --> 00:05:27,240 more competitive environment which Sonora High School provided. 73 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:34,880 Ann was a seven letter player in sports like basketball, softball, field hockey, tennis, 74 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:37,520 badminton, track and field. 75 00:05:37,520 --> 00:05:41,800 I mean she did everything but clean up the gym and did. 76 00:05:41,800 --> 00:05:47,800 And while playing as a basketball player the team compiled an 80 and five record during 77 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:50,240 her playing days. 78 00:05:50,240 --> 00:05:56,400 And she accumulated up to 13 MVPs in a variety of high school sports. 79 00:05:56,400 --> 00:06:02,000 So talk about somebody covering the whole gamut and was able to do that. 80 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:08,680 She became the first high school student to play internationally for a U.S. national team 81 00:06:08,680 --> 00:06:17,000 when she was named to the team while they were qualifying for the 1975 Feebo World Cup. 82 00:06:17,000 --> 00:06:21,600 And then later this 1975 Pan Am Games. 83 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:26,120 So Ann went to UCLA on a full scholarship. 84 00:06:26,120 --> 00:06:28,480 She's the first woman to do so. 85 00:06:28,480 --> 00:06:33,600 And I actually have excerpt of why she chose UCLA. 86 00:06:33,600 --> 00:06:35,960 And this is what was said. 87 00:06:35,960 --> 00:06:37,460 This is Ann. 88 00:06:37,460 --> 00:06:38,760 Ann didn't even sink in. 89 00:06:38,760 --> 00:06:41,080 For me it was like you're kidding. 90 00:06:41,080 --> 00:06:47,920 I can go and get an education at UCLA so I didn't really understand the impact that 91 00:06:47,920 --> 00:06:50,440 it would have in years later. 92 00:06:50,440 --> 00:06:55,800 I didn't understand the impact of what getting a scholarship would mean and what going to 93 00:06:55,800 --> 00:06:58,360 UCLA would mean. 94 00:06:58,360 --> 00:07:03,000 She was also asked in an interview why UCLA. 95 00:07:03,000 --> 00:07:06,680 Kenny Washington was the woman's basketball coach at UCLA. 96 00:07:06,680 --> 00:07:11,840 And my brother David and Kenny were roommates when they were playing at UCLA. 97 00:07:11,840 --> 00:07:13,840 So it kind of fell into place. 98 00:07:13,840 --> 00:07:20,680 So when David and Kenny came home one weekend Kenny said how'd you like to go to UCLA. 99 00:07:20,680 --> 00:07:22,200 We'll give you a scholarship. 100 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:24,480 I was God smacked really. 101 00:07:24,480 --> 00:07:29,440 I had no words for it to be a senior in high school and have no idea what you're going 102 00:07:29,440 --> 00:07:30,440 to do. 103 00:07:30,440 --> 00:07:38,200 And then to be able to go to such a university like that where my brother was was pretty awe-inspiring. 104 00:07:38,200 --> 00:07:43,520 So needless to say Ann was excited about the opportunity. 105 00:07:43,520 --> 00:07:49,560 So she goes to UCLA on the full scholarship for the four years. 106 00:07:49,560 --> 00:07:55,780 And of course UCLA is the same college as her brother Dave attended. 107 00:07:55,780 --> 00:08:01,120 She was coached by Kenny Washington as we said a former UCLA player who played with 108 00:08:01,120 --> 00:08:03,040 her brother Dave. 109 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:09,920 After her freshman year she was named All-American and at the same time her brother Dave as a 110 00:08:09,920 --> 00:08:13,040 senior was also named All-American. 111 00:08:13,040 --> 00:08:20,200 So they became the first brother and sister combination to do this at UCLA. 112 00:08:20,200 --> 00:08:29,520 And then this feat wasn't duplicated at UCLA until just this past season where Jaime Jocquez 113 00:08:29,520 --> 00:08:35,520 Jr. and his sister Gabrielle were both named All-Americans. 114 00:08:35,520 --> 00:08:41,160 Him for basketball and her for basketball as well. 115 00:08:41,160 --> 00:08:46,560 And would go on to have a Stella playing career at UCLA. 116 00:08:46,560 --> 00:08:49,640 She would be later coached by Billy Moore. 117 00:08:49,640 --> 00:08:53,000 Her last two seasons in fact. 118 00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:57,600 And in her senior year is when Ann would reach the pinnacle. 119 00:08:57,600 --> 00:09:05,600 UCLA ends up winning the AIAW championship in her senior season and they won it over 120 00:09:05,600 --> 00:09:09,440 Maryland 90 to 74. 121 00:09:09,440 --> 00:09:17,280 And on that team with her was Denise Curry another All-American in her right. 122 00:09:17,280 --> 00:09:24,360 Also in Ann's senior year she was the first player male or female to record a quadruple 123 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:25,480 double. 124 00:09:25,480 --> 00:09:35,280 It was in a game on February 18th 1978 and she did it against Stephen F. Austin University. 125 00:09:35,280 --> 00:09:37,280 This was a stat line guys. 126 00:09:37,280 --> 00:09:42,120 20 points 14 rebounds 10 assists and 10 steals. 127 00:09:42,120 --> 00:09:43,120 Wow. 128 00:09:43,120 --> 00:09:45,640 Talk about coming up big time. 129 00:09:45,640 --> 00:09:47,000 And it just that. 130 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:54,320 She finished her career at UCLA with a 17.4 point average. 131 00:09:54,320 --> 00:10:02,440 Also 8.4 rebounds 5.6 assists and 4.2 steals. 132 00:10:02,440 --> 00:10:10,080 And upon graduation and held 12 of the 13 major school career records. 133 00:10:10,080 --> 00:10:12,760 And quite the player I must say. 134 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:20,640 Internationally starting with the 1975 she played the Pan Ann games. 135 00:10:20,640 --> 00:10:26,200 Also she played in 1975 the Feeble World Cup. 136 00:10:26,200 --> 00:10:34,680 Then she would go on to play for the 1976 Olympic qualifying team in that tournament. 137 00:10:34,680 --> 00:10:40,360 And then later she would play in the 1976 Olympics. 138 00:10:40,360 --> 00:10:44,640 And that was the first well let me hold off on that. 139 00:10:44,640 --> 00:10:47,880 Then she would go on in 1977. 140 00:10:47,880 --> 00:10:52,160 She played in the World University games. 141 00:10:52,160 --> 00:10:59,320 Then in 1979 she would go on to play for the Pan Ann games. 142 00:10:59,320 --> 00:11:04,520 She played in that the Feeble World Cup in 1979. 143 00:11:04,520 --> 00:11:07,700 Also the Sparta Cade. 144 00:11:07,700 --> 00:11:10,240 She played in that also. 145 00:11:10,240 --> 00:11:14,680 And in the R. Williams Jones Cup. 146 00:11:14,680 --> 00:11:21,120 So in total and accumulated four gold medals and three silver medals. 147 00:11:21,120 --> 00:11:23,480 So pretty awesome stuff. 148 00:11:23,480 --> 00:11:29,160 And of course it includes the first women's US team to play in the Olympics ever. 149 00:11:29,160 --> 00:11:31,720 And that was in 1976. 150 00:11:31,720 --> 00:11:38,320 In fact that team is going to be honored at the Naysmith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 151 00:11:38,320 --> 00:11:42,320 this September because the entire team was inducted. 152 00:11:42,320 --> 00:11:48,280 And that team was coached by actually Ann's college coach Billy Moore. 153 00:11:48,280 --> 00:11:51,120 And on that team was Lucy Harris. 154 00:11:51,120 --> 00:11:54,600 I did a player spotlight on her last year. 155 00:11:54,600 --> 00:11:57,040 Also Nancy Lieberman was on that team. 156 00:11:57,040 --> 00:12:02,360 Patricia Roberts, Cindy Brogdon and a host of others. 157 00:12:02,360 --> 00:12:06,840 Including Pat Head who we would know later as Pat Summit. 158 00:12:06,840 --> 00:12:09,840 The great coach of Tennessee. 159 00:12:09,840 --> 00:12:12,280 And Ann was a starter on this team. 160 00:12:12,280 --> 00:12:16,240 So pretty prolific stuff guys that's for sure. 161 00:12:16,240 --> 00:12:23,880 Okay so with Ann's career done at UCLA she was still competing internationally. 162 00:12:23,880 --> 00:12:30,880 She was the first woman player to be drafted by a pro team in the women's professional 163 00:12:30,880 --> 00:12:35,780 basketball league which was known as the WBL at the time. 164 00:12:35,780 --> 00:12:42,780 She was drafted by the Houston Angels in 1978 but she never played for that team because 165 00:12:42,780 --> 00:12:49,520 at the time if you signed a pro contract that means you could not compete in international 166 00:12:49,520 --> 00:12:50,520 play. 167 00:12:50,520 --> 00:12:56,320 So Ann knew that so she held off on competing as far as in that pro league. 168 00:12:56,320 --> 00:13:02,240 So that's when she go on to those several tournaments in 1979. 169 00:13:02,240 --> 00:13:09,040 And she did play in the league it was in 1979-80 season which was a rookie season. 170 00:13:09,040 --> 00:13:14,920 She ended up being named Co-MVP along with Molly Bolin. 171 00:13:14,920 --> 00:13:20,720 And she actually played for the New Jersey gyms at the time. 172 00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:29,360 Now Ann was able to compete in the WBL that season that I mentioned because in preparing 173 00:13:29,360 --> 00:13:37,640 for the 1980 Olympics in the midst of that she got a call from Indiana Pacers owner at 174 00:13:37,640 --> 00:13:45,880 the time Sam Nassie who offered her a contract and a chance to try out for the Indiana Pacers. 175 00:13:45,880 --> 00:13:51,160 The owner at the time felt with the three point shot being introduced to the NBA that 176 00:13:51,160 --> 00:13:57,080 she would be a perfect fit for the team as far as three point shooting goes. 177 00:13:57,080 --> 00:14:04,640 But in order for Ann to accept signing the contract which was $50,000 at the time she'd 178 00:14:04,640 --> 00:14:12,960 have to give up her amateur eligibility which meant she would be missing the 1980 Olympics. 179 00:14:12,960 --> 00:14:18,560 Ann thought about it she sought the council family and helping her make this all important 180 00:14:18,560 --> 00:14:24,880 decision and her family gave their full-throated support and guidance to her. 181 00:14:24,880 --> 00:14:32,160 Of course you had your naysayers, those that expressed their dismay with her doing this. 182 00:14:32,160 --> 00:14:39,120 One of those people being the Indiana Pacers head coach at the time Slick Leonard who wasn't 183 00:14:39,120 --> 00:14:46,360 thrilled at all that his new owner put him in that position where he had to try out Ann 184 00:14:46,360 --> 00:14:48,000 for the team. 185 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:54,480 And also the media at the time thought it was all a publicity stunt by the Indiana Pacers. 186 00:14:54,480 --> 00:14:57,000 So you had your naysayers there. 187 00:14:57,000 --> 00:15:02,720 And this would not be of course the first time that Ann has had to compete with boys 188 00:15:02,720 --> 00:15:07,200 or men as she did so while playing in high school. 189 00:15:07,200 --> 00:15:12,640 She was on the boys summer league and this was between her junior and senior year in 190 00:15:12,640 --> 00:15:18,400 high school and she had a real chance to make it to the boys varsity team. 191 00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:23,800 But much like this instance here you had your naysayers and those that kind of tried to 192 00:15:23,800 --> 00:15:26,200 talk her out of doing so. 193 00:15:26,200 --> 00:15:32,080 And they were successful with that and that I think kind of prepared her for this moment. 194 00:15:32,080 --> 00:15:39,880 And then also Ann would later compete against men and female athletes across all sports 195 00:15:39,880 --> 00:15:47,560 in a TV series called the superstars but she did this after this tryout by the way. 196 00:15:47,560 --> 00:15:52,080 She did it from 1980 through 1983. 197 00:15:52,080 --> 00:15:58,960 She was a three time women's champ in this series and there were times also where she 198 00:15:58,960 --> 00:16:05,200 had to compete against men including Ronaldo, Nehemiah, the track star, also another track 199 00:16:05,200 --> 00:16:14,120 star Edwin Moses, basketball great Rick Barry and also in this competition were men like 200 00:16:14,120 --> 00:16:19,560 Mark Spitz the famous swimmer also OJ Simpson. 201 00:16:19,560 --> 00:16:26,080 We know him from football, Joe Frazier the boxer of course legendary boxer and Mark 202 00:16:26,080 --> 00:16:29,840 Astinall of New York Jets fame in football. 203 00:16:29,840 --> 00:16:37,160 So she would be competing amongst those athletes there as well as female athletes like Nancy 204 00:16:37,160 --> 00:16:46,120 Lieberman her teammate on that 1976 Olympic team as well as Lynette Woodard another basketball 205 00:16:46,120 --> 00:16:51,480 great in many of a female athletes across the spectrum of sports. 206 00:16:51,480 --> 00:16:54,320 But let's double back to the tryout. 207 00:16:54,320 --> 00:17:00,240 So Ann went about this tryout like she does everything else in competition given her 208 00:17:00,240 --> 00:17:06,800 very all she was preparing herself physically mentally and psychologically. 209 00:17:06,800 --> 00:17:13,920 She did six to eight hours of workouts each day leading up to the tryouts and the tryouts 210 00:17:13,920 --> 00:17:20,920 consisted of three days with them having to do two a days which meant two practices in 211 00:17:20,920 --> 00:17:27,920 a day and these tryouts occurred in September of 1979. 212 00:17:27,920 --> 00:17:34,240 So Ann understood the assignment and she did very well in these tryouts so much so it 213 00:17:34,240 --> 00:17:40,240 impressed the coach slick Leonard although in the final analysis she didn't make the 214 00:17:40,240 --> 00:17:46,720 roster she did impress all who witnessed those tryouts including coach Leonard who said he 215 00:17:46,720 --> 00:17:51,160 was proud of what she was able to do during these tryouts. 216 00:17:51,160 --> 00:17:59,280 So Ann Myers she makes her mark in NBA history and sports history with this tryout and the 217 00:17:59,280 --> 00:18:06,200 tryout actually did open a new door for Ann the world of sports broadcasting. 218 00:18:06,200 --> 00:18:12,240 What happened was her brother Mark who was an attorney at the time negotiated her contract 219 00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:20,600 with the Indiana Pacers and he made it into a personal service contract which means that 220 00:18:20,600 --> 00:18:27,800 if she didn't make the team she would still be part of the organization in other capacities 221 00:18:27,800 --> 00:18:33,200 such as public relations and also broadcasting. 222 00:18:33,200 --> 00:18:40,280 This would open a huge door for Ann she would then become the first female color commentator 223 00:18:40,280 --> 00:18:49,600 in the NBA and this was also around the time ESPN first launched their channel as the first 224 00:18:49,600 --> 00:18:57,400 all sports network so her coming into the broadcasting business coincided with ESPN's 225 00:18:57,400 --> 00:19:07,440 birth so Ann would go on to a illustrious broadcasting career one that spans over four 226 00:19:07,440 --> 00:19:15,560 decades including covering the NBA the Indiana Pacers of course we know of and most recently 227 00:19:15,560 --> 00:19:23,480 the Phoenix Suns she did color commentary for them from 2012 to 2018. 228 00:19:23,480 --> 00:19:32,040 The WNBA she was the lead analyst when the league first began and she did that from 1997 229 00:19:32,040 --> 00:19:40,040 to 2002 and most recently she now does color commentary for the Phoenix Mercury. 230 00:19:40,040 --> 00:19:48,240 Also she would be an announcer during the 1984 Olympics also for ESPN she would work 231 00:19:48,240 --> 00:19:57,640 there doing both men's and women's NCAA basketball and she's been with them since 1983. 232 00:19:57,640 --> 00:20:08,680 She also did the Goodwill games she did in 1986 1990 and 1994 she's also done NCAA women's 233 00:20:08,680 --> 00:20:18,200 softball and also volleyball and now to her obtaining the surname Drysdale Ann met her 234 00:20:18,200 --> 00:20:27,880 future husband Don Drysdale. Don Drysdale the former LA Dodger and Hall of Fame pitcher 235 00:20:27,880 --> 00:20:35,720 they met while Ann was competing in the superstar series the ABC series and that was during 236 00:20:35,720 --> 00:20:42,760 1980 they started out as friends and then it later blossomed into a full-fledged relationship 237 00:20:42,760 --> 00:20:52,280 and then the two would marry November 1st 1986 thus becoming the first Hall of Fame couple 238 00:20:52,280 --> 00:20:59,520 in their given sport to marry and once again making history of course with her marriage 239 00:20:59,520 --> 00:21:07,240 and the marriage was only for over six and a half years Don unfortunately passed away 240 00:21:07,240 --> 00:21:16,760 July 3rd 1993 from a heart attack and that occurred in Montreal Canada and he was age 241 00:21:16,760 --> 00:21:26,280 56 and actually that occurred 20 days before his birthday they had three children together 242 00:21:26,280 --> 00:21:38,160 Don Jr Darren and daughter Drew who was born in March of 1993 just months before Don's 243 00:21:38,160 --> 00:21:45,520 passing and Myers Drysdale she has an autobiography I love the title of it you let some girl beat 244 00:21:45,520 --> 00:21:56,200 you the story of and Myers Drysdale and that came out on May 15th 2012 she was the author 245 00:21:56,200 --> 00:22:03,280 and co-author of the book was Johnny Ravina and the forward was written by Julius Irving 246 00:22:03,280 --> 00:22:11,760 so Julius Irving had a high amount of respect for and Myers and her game so guys that is 247 00:22:11,760 --> 00:22:21,080 and Myers career in a nutshell let us talk about her accolades shall we four time Kodak 248 00:22:21,080 --> 00:22:28,880 all American at UCLA she won the Honda Sports Award and that was given to the most outstanding 249 00:22:28,880 --> 00:22:37,560 woman's college basketball player and that was in 1978 also in 1978 she got the broader 250 00:22:37,560 --> 00:22:45,880 recovery for most outstanding woman athlete in collegiate sports so she was inducted into 251 00:22:45,880 --> 00:22:54,160 the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame in 1985 she was inducted into the UCLA 252 00:22:54,160 --> 00:23:01,640 Athletics Hall of Fame as the first woman to do so and that was in 1988 her number 15 253 00:23:01,640 --> 00:23:10,200 Jersey retired along with teammate Denise Curry as well as UCLA men's basketball greats 254 00:23:10,200 --> 00:23:18,240 Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Bill Walton and this happened in 1990 the criteria for getting 255 00:23:18,240 --> 00:23:25,400 your jersey retired you have to have been a three time all American she was inducted 256 00:23:25,400 --> 00:23:32,920 into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993 she is the first woman to compete 257 00:23:32,920 --> 00:23:42,080 in the Celebrity Golf Association Championship that was in 1994 her player Jersey was retired 258 00:23:42,080 --> 00:23:51,400 at her alma mater Sonora High School in 1995 she was inducted into the National High School 259 00:23:51,400 --> 00:23:59,680 Hall of Fame in 1995 as well she was presented with the Mel Greenberg Media Award and this 260 00:23:59,680 --> 00:24:07,000 is given by the women's college basketball association and this occurred in 1999 and 261 00:24:07,000 --> 00:24:12,880 this award goes to a member of the media who has best displayed a commitment to women's 262 00:24:12,880 --> 00:24:19,360 basketball and to advancing the role of the media in the women's game so she got that 263 00:24:19,360 --> 00:24:27,560 award most recently who received that award Holly Roll from ESPN and was also inducted 264 00:24:27,560 --> 00:24:35,200 as a charter member into the women's basketball Hall of Fame also in 1999 she was named as 265 00:24:35,200 --> 00:24:42,400 a wooden all time all American by the wooden award in conjunction with the LA Athletic 266 00:24:42,400 --> 00:24:50,040 Club and this was in 2001 and so fittingly so because she spent a lot of time with John 267 00:24:50,040 --> 00:24:57,240 Wooden John Wooden being have coached her brother so and had access to John Wooden was 268 00:24:57,240 --> 00:25:05,640 able to get those pearls of wisdom from him so and also received a NCAA Silver Anniversary 269 00:25:05,640 --> 00:25:12,680 Award on the 25th anniversary of her UCLA team winning their national championship joining 270 00:25:12,680 --> 00:25:20,640 William Norris Karima Dujabar and Bill Walton as the only UCLA athletes to receive this 271 00:25:20,640 --> 00:25:29,400 prestigious award and was also inducted into inaugural class of the FIBA Hall of Fame as 272 00:25:29,400 --> 00:25:38,120 one of three recipients who were US citizens the other two being coach Dean Smith of course 273 00:25:38,120 --> 00:25:44,200 the University of North Carolina and Bill Russell when he played for the University 274 00:25:44,200 --> 00:25:51,720 of San Francisco and was a sports ambassador for the Special Olympics the Southern California 275 00:25:51,720 --> 00:25:59,000 Division and she did that for over 30 years she's been involved in that organization and 276 00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:06,120 also she is a board member of the Lot Impact Trophy and this is given to college footballs 277 00:26:06,120 --> 00:26:13,880 defensive impact player of the year and this award is named after pro great Ronnie Lott 278 00:26:13,880 --> 00:26:22,280 so who says UCLA doesn't get along with USC so they did in this regard so that is her accolades 279 00:26:22,280 --> 00:26:27,960 that's all her accolades there a couple of quotes that I have from her and then I'm going to close 280 00:26:27,960 --> 00:26:37,480 it out this is Ann talking about the WNBA of which she's been such a part of that what I say about 281 00:26:37,480 --> 00:26:44,840 the WNBA the passion not only that the fans have for the teams but the players in playing the game 282 00:26:45,400 --> 00:26:50,680 you'll find watching them play that you'll get caught up and appreciate the passion they have 283 00:26:50,680 --> 00:26:58,360 for their work so that's Ann talking about the league that she covers and that is the WNBA this 284 00:26:58,360 --> 00:27:04,040 is regarding her tryout we'll give you that quote and then we'll close it out it was the best decision 285 00:27:04,040 --> 00:27:11,480 I have ever made in my life when I was in high school I played on the boys summer league team 286 00:27:11,480 --> 00:27:17,880 between my junior and senior year in high school which I mentioned earlier I had planned on playing 287 00:27:17,880 --> 00:27:23,480 on the boys varsity team during the regular school season but a lot of things were said 288 00:27:24,200 --> 00:27:30,120 when you're in high school emotions are changing and you're physically changing so you care about 289 00:27:30,120 --> 00:27:36,280 what people say so even though I had played on the summer league team as much as I wanted to play 290 00:27:36,280 --> 00:27:43,560 on the boys varsity team I let people talk me out of it after UCLA all of a sudden I get a call from 291 00:27:43,560 --> 00:27:51,480 the Indiana Pacers Sam Nassie who's the new owner and lives in California he said how would you like 292 00:27:51,480 --> 00:27:58,680 a tryout my brother Dave was already playing for the Bucks and I looked back five years before that 293 00:27:58,680 --> 00:28:04,680 and said well people talk me out of it one time I'm not going to let them talk me out of it a 294 00:28:04,680 --> 00:28:11,640 second time I thought it was an opportunity of a lifetime it was not an easy decision for me but 295 00:28:11,640 --> 00:28:18,040 once I made the decision I thought I'm just going to put everything into it I know physically 296 00:28:18,040 --> 00:28:23,800 mentally and emotionally it was the best I was ever prepared to play the game of basketball 297 00:28:24,440 --> 00:28:30,680 I probably worked out six to eight hours a day just trying to train for this one opportunity 298 00:28:31,400 --> 00:28:38,040 certainly publicity was involved and I don't deny that but I was never one that went out and 299 00:28:38,040 --> 00:28:45,800 started and then well I'll read this last one and this is about her getting a fair shot in that 300 00:28:45,800 --> 00:28:52,280 tryout with the Pacers it was difficult for a slick Leonard who was the coach because he came from 301 00:28:52,280 --> 00:28:58,200 a generation where women were in the home raising a family and not out on the basketball court with 302 00:28:58,200 --> 00:29:05,160 a bunch of guys I'm sure he was put in a very difficult position but I was 24 years old and 303 00:29:05,160 --> 00:29:12,600 focused on me and nothing else and trying to do the best that I could did I get a fair shake I would 304 00:29:12,600 --> 00:29:18,840 have liked to have gone on to the next round of the free agent rookie camp I went through the three 305 00:29:18,840 --> 00:29:26,600 day process we have two practices a day so we had six practices and then I was basically let go even 306 00:29:26,600 --> 00:29:34,680 though it was a personal service contract where I was working for the organization when slick told me 307 00:29:34,680 --> 00:29:41,640 hey you did great we love that you came out here but we're going to move on I was not happy I was 308 00:29:41,640 --> 00:29:47,960 hurt I was broken I thought I had played well enough to go on to the next level but it opened so 309 00:29:47,960 --> 00:29:56,760 many doors and gave me the opportunity to meet Don and my life changed so that pretty much tells 310 00:29:56,760 --> 00:30:02,280 the story there and like I said that opened up an opportunity for her to meet her future husband 311 00:30:02,280 --> 00:30:08,520 when she went on to compete in the superstar series so all right with that said that is it 312 00:30:09,160 --> 00:30:17,240 so and my is drive they'll we salute you we thank you for all of you done for the game of basketball 313 00:30:17,240 --> 00:30:24,440 especially women's basketball I first started watching college basketball any of the big games 314 00:30:24,440 --> 00:30:30,520 especially on ESPN that was the voice I heard and she knew what she was talking about she was 315 00:30:30,520 --> 00:30:36,200 very well versed in the game and I definitely appreciated my time watching women's basketball 316 00:30:36,200 --> 00:30:44,440 with her doing the color commentary that's for sure and much like today you have now Rebecca Lobo 317 00:30:44,440 --> 00:30:53,880 who's fantastic in the booth think of her I think uh Sarah Kustaf she does next game but she also 318 00:30:53,880 --> 00:31:01,960 covers some WNBA as well and there's others as well that I can name but and my set the standard 319 00:31:01,960 --> 00:31:09,240 when it comes to women doing color commentary in the booth for basketball so and my stride stale 320 00:31:09,800 --> 00:31:16,440 we salute you we appreciate you all that you've given to the game and so on and so forth and may 321 00:31:16,440 --> 00:31:23,800 you continue to do so and be a bright light on the women's game of basketball as you always have 322 00:31:23,800 --> 00:31:30,040 done with that thousand watt smile that you have as well we appreciate you all right guys so that's 323 00:31:30,040 --> 00:31:36,600 going to do it for me this is my birthday special edition episode guys you know where to find me 324 00:31:36,600 --> 00:31:45,720 all things basketball with gd.com I'm on all the platforms so on so forth youtube all those places 325 00:31:45,720 --> 00:31:54,120 so all right guys and you can support me through anchor buy me a coffee all that's on my website so 326 00:31:54,120 --> 00:32:01,320 go there guys all right so that's it for me I'll come back conference finals are wrapping up just 327 00:32:01,320 --> 00:32:07,000 about so I'll give you a full breakdown of that I still have to break down the next season I'll do 328 00:32:07,000 --> 00:32:14,280 that as well and few news items that's out there that has to be addressed I'll jump on those as well 329 00:32:14,280 --> 00:32:19,480 all right guys that's it all right so I thank you once again for listening and we'll talk soon 330 00:32:22,520 --> 00:32:27,480 so my peeps if you like what you're listening to you can go to my website 331 00:32:29,400 --> 00:32:39,080 all things basketball with gd.com you can also email me at that sportsduegd at gmail.com 332 00:32:39,080 --> 00:32:48,360 to support this podcast you can go to my paypal and that email is that sportsduegd 333 00:32:48,920 --> 00:32:56,600 at gmail.com also on my anchor page I have a support button there that you can also use 334 00:32:56,600 --> 00:33:08,760 to help the podcast I'm on all the major platforms like anchor, spreeker, google podcast, amazon, 335 00:33:09,320 --> 00:33:18,600 soundcloud, youtube, cast bots, radio public, pod chaser just to name a few and also you can 336 00:33:18,600 --> 00:33:28,360 find me on social media, facebook, instagram, twitter, tiktok, clubhouse and fanbase so 337 00:33:28,360 --> 00:33:48,040 once again I thank you for listening and supporting this podcast and take care and be safe