Katrina McClain
(Born 1965)
Hall of Fame Induction: 2012
Card Shown:
1996 Upper Deck
USA Basketball
Position: PF
Height: 6’1″
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Katrina McClain is considered by many to be the best power forward in the history of women’s basketball. She had great hands and was a terrific scorer, rebounder, and shot blocker. Katrina achieved success at all levels of the game, winning a championship in high school, going to the NCAA finals in college, and starring in a number of international competitions, including three Olympic Games. Altogether, Katrina represented USA Basketball an amazing eleven times, winning seven gold medals.
Awards and Honors
- McClain was a three-time All-State selection while playing at St. Andrews High School in Charleston, South Carolina. She led the team to an undefeated 30-0 record and a state championship during her senior year.
- Katrina played college basketball at the University of Georgia, starring on teams that finished with a record of 116-15 during her time there. She led the Lady Bulldogs into the NCAA final in 1985. In 1986 and 1987, McClain was selected as an All-American. One of her teammates at Georgia was fellow Hall of Famer Teresa Edwards.
- In 1987, McClain was named the National College Player of the Year.
- Katrina played in three Olympic games, leading her teams to the gold medal in 1988 in Seoul, the bronze medal in 1992 in Barcelona, and the gold medal in 1996 in Atlanta. In 1988 and 1992, McClain was named USA Basketball’s Female Athlete of the Year.
- In addition to her Olympic accomplishments, Katrina starred in many other international competitions. She won two gold medals (1986, 1990) and a bronze (1994) at the World Championships. She also won a gold medal (1987) and a bronze medal (1991) at the Pan American Games and two gold medals at the Goodwill Games (1986, 1990).
Points of Interest
- After college, and before there ever was a WNBA, Katrina played professional basketball in Japan from 1989-91, in Italy in 1992, in Spain from 1993-95, and in Turkey from 1995-96.
- McClain also played in the short-lived American Basketball League (ABL) for the Atlanta Glory in 1997-98.
- Katrina was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
- McClain’s jersey, number 32, was retired by the University of Georgia in recognition of her stellar basketball career.
- In 2017 it was announced by the Hall of Fame that they would present the Katrina McClain Award to recognize the best power forward in NCAA Division I college basketball.