Wednesday, 06 May 2026

Rebecca Lobo

Contest: The US Athletics Hall of Fame - Athletes 2026
Embed from Getty Images
Sport(s): Basketball
Statistics & Accolades: 1 WNBA All-Star Game (1999)
1 Olympic Gold Medal (1996)
1 NCAA Championship (1995)
1 Naismith College Player of the Year (1995)
1 NCAA Tournament MOP (1995
1 Honda Sports Award (1995) 1 Wade Trophy (1995)
2-Time All-American (1994 & 1995)
2 Big East Player of the Year Awards (1994 & 1995)
Member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Member of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame
Number retired by the University of Connecticut
While there were many women’s college basketball players who dominated the hardwood, Rebecca Lobo was arguably the first to capture the nation’s imagination.

The year was 1995, and Lobo was the biggest name in women’s hoops. The consensus National Player of the Year took the University of Connecticut to a National Championship with a perfect 35-0 season. She became the face of the sport, helping to prove that women’s college basketball could command a massive national audience. Shortly after her collegiate success, she won a gold medal with the legendary "1996 Dream Team" at the Atlanta Olympics. This team’s success and popularity served as the primary catalyst for the launch of the WNBA, where Lobo was assigned to the New York Liberty as one of the league's inaugural premier stars.

Her pro career was derailed by a torn ACL and subsequent knee problems, and though she was only a WNBA All-Star once, her star power was undeniable.

We are proud to nominate Rebecca Lobo for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.

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