C. Vivian Stringer

Enshrined 2009
Edenborn, PA
Born: March 16, 1948

Biography

A coal miner’s daughter, C. Vivian Stringer learned a valuable lesson from her parents growing up in the small town of Edenborn, PA. “Work hard and don’t look for excuses, and you can achieve anything.” The lesson has stuck with the legendary coach who has turned tragedy into triumph. The first coach, male or female, to take three different schools to the Final Four, Stringer has been a visionary and pioneer winning more than 800 victories while catapulting three programs to national prominence. In 1971, barely out of college herself, Stringer began her coaching career at Cheyney State where she coached alongside John Chaney, sharing a gym and a coaching philosophy. Stringer led the historically black college into the first NCAA women’s Final Four in 1982 and just eleven years later landed in the Final Four again, this time at the University of Iowa. Stringer headed back east in 1995 building Rutgers University into a national program and reaching two Final Fours. The C. Vivian Stringer Coaching Award, founded in 2002 by the U.S. Sports Academy, is presented annually to a woman who has experienced outstanding achievement as a coach.

Career Highlights

	National Coach of the Year, 1982, 1988, 1993
	First coach to lead three different schools to the NCAA Final Four
	Led teams to 29 20-win seasons in her first 38 years
	Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, 2001

John Stockton

Enshrined 2009
Spokane, WA
Born: March 26, 1962

Biography

His number is retired, a street in Salt Lake City is named for him, and there is a statue of his likeness outside the arena where he played his entire NBA career. All this lends testimony to the extraordinary career of Utah Jazz point guard John Stockton, a throwback player who brought his hard-nosed, all-business approach to every game he ever played. Stockton was “old school” in every sense and that style suited him well for 19 seasons, including 17 in which he played every game on the schedule. He was a ten-time All-Star, led the league in assists a record nine consecutive seasons, and holds the single-season record for assists with 1,164. At the time of his retirement, Stockton held the NBA career record for assists and steals with 15,806 and 3,265 respectively. The gritty Stockton led the Jazz to the playoffs each of his 19 seasons and won gold medals at both the 1992 and 1996 Olympics.

Career Highlights

	All-NBA First Team, 1994, 1995
	NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, 1996
	Member of 1992 United States Olympic Dream Team
	All-NBA Second Team, 1988-90, 1992, 1993, 1996

Jerry Sloan

Enshrined 2009
McLeansboro, IL
Born: March 28, 1942

Biography

Jerry Sloan wrote the book on loyalty in coaching. In an era when coaches and players frequently entertain lucrative offers from other organizations and programs, Sloan quietly built a winner in Utah. He arrived in Salt Lake in 1983, and after flirting with and actually nabbing the head job with the CBA’s Evansville Thunder, Sloan ultimately stayed with the Jazz finally taking over in 1988. More than 20 years later, Sloan owns the longest coaching tenure with the same team in professional sports. One of the game’s most successful coaches at any level, Sloan is the only NBA coach to record 1,000 wins with the same franchise. He is one of only three coaches in NBA history to win at least 50 games in 10 or more seasons and for good measure he led the Jazz to 15 consecutive playoff appearances from 1988 to 2003. His winning record may only be surpassed by his class and dignity in life.

Career Highlights

	The Sporting News NBA Coach of the Year, 2004
	Two NBA Finals appearances, 1997, 1998
	NBA Coach of the Month nine times
	Fourth winningest coach in NBA history

David Robinson

Enshrined 2009
Key West, FL
Born: August 6, 1965

Biography

Christened “The Admiral” at the US Naval Academy, David Robinson patrolled the lane like a mighty aircraft carrier for nearly twenty seasons. Robinson led the nation in rebounding and blocked shots in 1987 and for his efforts he won both the Naismith and Wooden Awards that year. After fulfilling his commitment to the US Navy, Robinson joined the San Antonio Spurs in 1989 and quickly transformed the franchise into a contender. He spent his entire career in San Antonio leading his mates to two NBA championships, the first in 1999 and the second in 2003, Robinson’s final season. A ten-time All-Star, Robinson led the NBA in scoring in 1994 when he torched the nets for 71 points in the final game of the season to edge out Shaquille O’Neal. The 1992 Defensive Player of the Year was equally effective as a shot-blocker, rebounder, and all-around talent. A three-time Olympian, Robinson won two gold medals (1992, 1996) and one bronze medal (1988).

Career Highlights

	NBA Rookie of the Year, 1990
	NBA Most Valuable Player, 1995
	NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
	The Sporting News College Player of the Year, 1987

Michael Jordan

Enshrined 2009
Brooklyn, NY
Born: February 17, 1963

Biography

Michael Jordan personified greatness on the court, and redefined superstar athlete off it. His freshman season at UNC culminated with Jordan hitting the game-winning shot in the 1982 NCAA national title game. That shot put Michael on the map and a new era was born. Following his junior year, Jordan entered the NBA Draft and was selected third overall by the Chicago Bulls. The young superstar began stockpiling NBA hardware. The court was his and the world soon followed. His unmistakable style – the wagging tongue, the baggy shorts, the signature line of sneakers – helped make the 14-time All-Star the most recognizable person on the planet. Still his résumé lacked an NBA title. Then in 1991, the Jordan-led Bulls launched an all-out assault on the rest of the league winning three straight world championships. Michael won Olympic gold again in 1992 and then in 1993 abruptly retired from the Bulls to play minor league baseball. He returned to the NBA full-time in 1995 and the Bulls promptly won three consecutive titles. Jordan was named Finals MVP each time. In 2001, Jordan made a second improbable comeback and still averaged 20 points per game and appeared in the 2002 and 2003 All-Star Games.

Career Highlights

	NBA MVP, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998
	All-NBA First Team, 1987-1993, 1996-1998
	Naismith and Wooden Award winner, 1984
	NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, 1996/td>

Robert E. "Bob" Davies

Enshrined 1970
Harrisburg, PA
January 15, 1920 - April 22, 1990

Biography

Honored as the Sixth Greatest Player in the First Half Century by Sport magazine in 1970, Bob Davies stunned and amazed opponents with his deceptive slight-of-hand ball handling. Nicknamed the "Harrisburg Houdini," Davies made the extraordinary look simple. He would often use behind-the-back, through-the-legs, and over-the-head ball maneuvers. With his exciting repertoire of moves, Davies became a two-time All-America at Seton Hall, leading the team to 43 consecutive victories from 1939 to 1941. After a stint in the military, Davies brought his magic touch to the professional level, playing two seasons in the American Basketball League before embarking on a ten-year career with the Rochester Royals of the National Basketball League, the Basketball Association of America, and then the NBA, where he captured two titles in 1946 and 1951. By being named to the NBA's 25th Anniversary Team, Davies is considered one of the finest guards in basketball history.

Career Highlights

	NBL MVP, 1947
	All-NBA First Team, 1950, 1951, 1952
	NBA All-Star Game, 1951-54
	Known as the leading character in the Chip Hilton's Sports Stories for Young People authored by Clair Bee

Morgan B. Wootten

Enshrined 2000
Durham, NC
Born: April 21, 1931

Biography

Coaching success is synonymous with the name Morgan Wootten. No other coach in basketball history has better combined their love for the game with their passion for coaching students. In over forty years of coaching at legendary DeMatha High School, Wootten won more than 1,200 games and is the most successful high school coach in basketball history. At the time of his enshrinement, Wootten had led DeMatha to the mythical national championship in 1962, 1965, 1968, 1978, and 1984. The 1965 DeMatha team broke the 71-game winning streak of Lew Alcindor's Power Memorial team. Recording over 40 consecutive seasons with at least 20 wins, his teams have won more than 30 conference championships. And to Wooten's credit, DeMatha has finished the season ranked No. 1 in the Washington, D.C. area more than 20 times. A dedicated educator, more than 150 of Wootten's former players have gone on to play college basketball, while a dozen have played in the NBA. More than 20 of his former coaches or players are now coaching on the high school, collegiate or professional level.

Career Highlights

	National championships at DeMatha High School, 1962, 1965, 1968, 1978, 1984
	USA Today National Coach of the Year, 1984
	First recipient of the Walt Disney Award presented to the top sports coach in the United States, 1991
	Naismith Scholastic Coach of the Century, 2000

Isiah L. Thomas

Enshrined 2000
Chicago, IL
Born: April 30, 1961

Biography

Isiah Thomas ranks as one of the best small guards in basketball history. At 6-foot-1, Thomas was known for his willingness to attack the basket. While his cool, collected demeanor masked an intense desire to win, he also brought scoring, passing, and flair to the game. An All-America at Indiana University, Thomas led the Hoosiers to a 47-17 record. During his illustrious thirteen-year NBA career, Thomas brought prominence back to Detroit, making the Pistons one of the league's elite teams. The 1982 NBA Rookie of the Year, Thomas led the Pistons to consecutive championships in 1989 and 1990 was named MVP of the 1990 Finals. The undisputed leader of the "Bad Boys," he played in twelve All-Star games and was named MVP in 1984 and 1986. Among Detroit's all-time leading scorers (18,822) and assist-holders (9,061), Thomas was named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history in 1996.

Career Highlights

	NCAA Championship with Indiana University, 1981
	NCAA tournament Most Outstanding Player, 1981
	All-NBA First Team, 1984, 1985, 1986
	NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, 1996

Pat Head Summitt

Enshrined 2000
Henrietta, Tennessee
Born: June 14, 1952

Biography

During her career as head coach at the University of Tennessee, Pat Head Summitt has created a legacy of success and integrity unparalleled in women's basketball. Named the Naismith Coach of the Century, Summitt led the Lady Vols to postseason appearances each season, including 18 Final Fours (four AIAW), and 13 title games. Leading the Lady Vols to national titles in 1987 and 1989, she was named SEC Coach of the Year three times. Dominating the 1990s with four NCAA Championships, during the 1997-98 season she led the Lady Vols to a perfect 39-0 record. In total, she has coached UT to 13 Southeast Conference regular season titles and eleven SEC Tournament titles. Summitt also coached U.S. teams to gold medals at the Olympics and Pan American Games.

Career Highlights

	Coached U.S. to Olympic Gold Medal, 1984
	NCAA Championships with University of Tennessee, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998
	Naismith College Coach of the Year, 1987, 1989, 1994, 1998
	Naismith Coach of the Century, 2000

Charles Martin Newton

Enshrined 2000
Rockwood, TN
Born: February 2, 1930

Biography

As player, coach, and administrator for over 50 years, Charles Martin "C.M." Newton's touch has enhanced the game's integrity and helped ensure basketball's success. On the court, Newton played with the 1951 University of Kentucky team that compiled a 32-2 record and won the NCAA Championship. Newton continued his winning ways as a coach at Transylvania College, the University of Alabama, and Vanderbilt University. In 1989, Newton returned to his alma mater as the new athletics director. In addition to resurrecting Kentucky's basketball program, Newton is also credited for hiring the school's first African-American men's and women's basketball coaches. Newton, who has served on numerous NCAA Division I basketball committees, was president of USA. Basketball from 1992 to 1996, when the U.S. Olympic team went from college to professional players. He was also a major influence in the selection of the original Olympic Dream Team of 1992.

Career Highlights

	NCAA Championship with Kentucky, 1951
	SEC Coach of the Year, 1972, 1976, 1988, 1989
	President, USA. Basketball, 1992-96
	Recipient, John Bunn Award, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, 1997