Sturty6ers
Years ago
Lauren Makes No.1
Jackson all-time No.1
January 19, 2005
LAUREN Jackson was named the Women's National Basketball League's all-time most valuable player when the organisation unveiled its 25th anniversary team today.
Jackson, the 2003 WNBA MVP in the US, finished 45 votes clear of Robyn Maher, who won a record 10 Championships in her 19-year career.
Australia's first international female basketball star, Michele Timms, polled third on the all-time list of great players with Adelaide's Rachael Sporn fourth.
Rounding out the top five was Shelley Sandie followed by Penny Taylor and 80s players Julie Nykiel, Jenny Cheesman and Karin Maar.
Australian captain Trisha Fallon made up the top 10.
Selection Committee chairperson Jan Morris said it was a rewarding experience to look back on the history of the league and think about the players who had graced the WNBL court.
"This was a really tough job given we were looking at players from such different eras," she said.
"Players in the 80s had such different training schedules and opportunities to the players of the 90s and today.
"I think we have come up with a good blend of modern and past players who have seen the sport rise to top."
Panel members were also asked to name their top three WNBL coaches of all time, with Canberra TransACT Capitals mentor and former Australian coach Tom Maher a clear winner from long-time Adelaide leader Jan Stirling in second and Carrie Graf.
The league started with nine teams in 1981 when teams paid $25 each to join.
