Former Stanford Cardinal basketball star Jennifer Azzi has been nominated for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in her very first year of eligibility. The 43-year-old Azzi has left her stamp on the game as both a player and a coach.
Looking back at Azzi's accomplishments, it's easy to see why she's such a prime candidate to win the nomination and move forward into the Hall. Azzi has proven herself as an exceptional basketball player and winner on multiple levels.
Azzi first burst into the national spotlight in 1987 when she began her freshman year at Stanford. Through four seasons, Azi won multiple Pac-10 awards and served as captain during Stanford's national title run in 1990.
She has since expanded her legacy in the realms of the American Basketball League, the Women's National Basketball Association and the USA Senior National Team. She played a pivotal role during the Senior National Team's 60-0 perfect season in 1990, which included a gold metal in the Olympic Games that year.
Since retiring from the game, Azzi has turned to coaching. She is currently the head coach of the University of San Francisco women's basketball team.
Reading through Azzi's numerous accomplishments and accolades puts the honor of the Naismith Memorial Professional Basketball Hall of Fame into perspective. Her talent and character have paved the way for 17 successful years in the sport, and she continues to give back by growing the game in the Bay Area.