1996 US Women's Basketball Team Inducted into Hall of Fame

Sheryl Swoopes celebrates the momentous occasion and the team's lasting impact on the sport.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:06pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a women's basketball game, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and form.The induction of the 1996 US Women's National Basketball Team into the Hall of Fame celebrates their collective achievements and lasting impact on the sport.Atlanta Today

The 1996 US Women's National Basketball Team, led by Sheryl Swoopes, has been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The team's dominant performance at the Atlanta Olympics, winning gold with an undefeated record and an average margin of victory over 30 points, was a watershed moment for women's basketball and led to the creation of the WNBA. Swoopes, a pivotal figure on the team and in the founding of the WNBA, is thrilled to see the team's collective achievements recognized and their legacy celebrated.

Why it matters

The induction of the 1996 US Women's National Team into the Hall of Fame is a significant moment in the history of women's basketball. The team's success at the Olympics and their role in the founding of the WNBA have had a lasting impact on the sport, inspiring future generations of athletes and helping to elevate the profile of women's basketball globally.

The details

The 1996 US Women's National Basketball Team dominated the Atlanta Olympics, winning gold with an undefeated record and an average margin of victory over 30 points. Their success put women's basketball on the map and was a driving force behind the creation of the WNBA later that year. Sheryl Swoopes, a key member of the team and a WNBA legend, sees the team's Hall of Fame induction as a celebration of their collective achievements and the responsibility they felt to uplift and grow the sport. However, the reunion will be bittersweet, as the team mourns the loss of Nikki McCray-Penson, a two-time Olympic gold medalist who passed away in 2023.

  • The 1996 US Women's National Basketball Team won gold at the Atlanta Olympics.
  • The WNBA was founded later in 1996, inspired by the team's success.
  • Nikki McCray-Penson, a member of the 1996 team, passed away in 2023.

The players

Sheryl Swoopes

A pivotal figure on the 1996 US Women's National Basketball Team and a WNBA legend who helped establish the league.

Nikki McCray-Penson

A two-time Olympic gold medalist and member of the 1996 US Women's National Basketball Team who passed away in 2023.

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What they’re saying

“The team's induction as a group is a testament to their collective achievements and the responsibility they felt to uplift and grow the sport.”

— Sheryl Swoopes

What’s next

The 1996 US Women's National Basketball Team will be formally inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in a ceremony later this year.

The takeaway

The induction of the 1996 US Women's National Basketball Team into the Hall of Fame is a powerful celebration of the team's collective achievements and their lasting impact on the sport. Their success at the Olympics and role in the founding of the WNBA have inspired generations of athletes and helped elevate the profile of women's basketball globally.