Former Lynx star Katie Smith and fellow former WNBA stars Tina Thompson and Chamique Holdsclaw headlined the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame class for 2018 announced Monday.
All three were eligible for the first time. Joining them are former Colorado coach Ceal Barry; longtime assistants Chris Dailey and Mickie DeMoss, the first two assistant coaches to get into the Hall; and longtime New Jersey high school and college coach Rose Marie Battaglia.
A standout at Ohio State, Smith played for the Lynx from 1999 to 2005 before helping the Detroit Shock to championships in 2006 and '08. She is fifth on the WNBA's all-time scoring list and now serves as coach of the New York Liberty.
The group will be enshrined June 9 in Knoxville, Tenn.
Gophers claim Big Ten honors
• Gophers outfielder Dani Wagner was named Big Ten softball co-player of the week after going 7-for-14 with eight RBI in five games at the SportCo Kick Off Classic in Las Vegas. She hit three-run homers against North Dakota State and Creighton as the Gophers went 5-0.
• The Gophers' Lexy Ramler earned Big Ten co-gymnast and co-freshman of the week honors, getting the freshman award for the fourth week in a row. She won the all-around when the Gophers beat Illinois on Friday. Ivy Lu earned Big Ten event specialist honors after tying the program record with a 9.975 on the uneven bars.
• After winning his third all-around title of the season, the Gophers' Shane Wiskus was named Big Ten co-gymnast and freshman of the week. He helped the No. 6 Gophers to a victory over No. 5 Illinois on Saturday.
Etc.
• Franz Boelter, who led Faribault Bethlehem Academy volleyball to seven state titles since 1992, will not return as coach next season. Boelter issued a statement posted on radio station KGCL's website that said he was told he was not being retained because of "emotional mistreatment of student-athletes," a lack of concern for players and the failure to treat "all students with dignity and respect." He was elected to the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2008.
