Tag: Seimone Augustus

Former LSU star Seimone Augustus named to Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame ballot

Seimone Augustus could find herself in another Hall of Fame.

Former LSU women’s basketball star [autotag]Seimone Augustus[/autotag] was already elected to the 2024 class of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, but that may not be the only organization that immortalizes her.

Augustus has now also been named to the ballot for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2024 induction class. The finalists will be announced on Feb. 16 with the full induction class being announced on April 6.

Alongside Augustus, the ballot is also headlined by Vince Carter, Bill Laimbeer, Rick Barnes and others.

While a player at LSU, Augustus led the team to three straight Final Fours and winning National and SEC Player of the Year (as well as the Wooden Award and Honda Award) twice. Her jersey has been retired since 2010, and a statue was erected in her honor this past January.

Augustus was the first overall pick in the WNBA draft, and she had a 15-year pro career in which she won four titles, was named a Finals MVP and was an eight-time All-Star.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Hannah Hidalgo is USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year

Congrats, Hannah!

[autotag]Hannah Hidalgo[/autotag] only has played college basketball for a month, but the Notre Dame freshman phenom already is making an impact. She’s the nation’s leader in steals (6.0 a game) and one of its top scorers (23.6 points a game). But that doesn’t begin to describe what she’s done overall this year.

Hidalgo has won the prestigious USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year award for how well she did in international play this season. During the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup, she averaged 10.7 points and 5.4 assists a game to help the U.S. win the gold medal. Joni Taylor, her coach from that tournament, said it best:

“Hannah Hidalgo is a name you will not forget.”

In winning this award, Hidalgo is joining elite company in more ways than one. She is only the fourth player to win it before beginning her collegiate career, joining Paige Bueckers, Brianna Stewart and Janelle Bailey.

Many women’s basketball legends, some of which remain active and others are enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame, have won this award since it was first given out in 1980. These include Diana Taurasi, Teresa Edwards, Lisa Leslie, Dawn Staley, Cheryl Miller, Katrina McClain, A’ja Wilson, Maya Moore, Tina Charles, Katie Smith, Natalie Williams, Ruthie Bolton, Chamique Holdsclaw, Seimone Augustus and Lynette Woodard.

If that list is any indication, Hidalgo is on her way to becoming not only an Irish legend but a legend of the sport. It probably wouldn’t surprise her either because she indicated such when Fighting Irish Wire asked her about it after the Irish’s win over Lafayette:

“No, I’m not surprised at all. I think I know what God has blessed me with, and so, it’s a lot easier when I have teammates like the ones that I do. That makes the game just so much easier.”

Here’s to the latest of what should be many more honors for someone who’s just getting started.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Former LSU women’s basketball star Seimone Augustus elected to Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame

Seimone Augustus will be immortalized in the Hall of Fame after a legendary playing career.

Former LSU women’s basketball standout [autotag]Seimone Augustus[/autotag] was elected to the 2024 induction class of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

A star for the Tigers from 2002-06, she received multiple national player of the year awards in both 2005 and 2006. She led the team to three consecutive Final Fours, was named a First Team All-American three times and became one of just five LSU players to reach the 2,000-point mark. She currently ranks second all-time in scoring in program history.

Augustus’ No. 33 jersey was retired by LSU in 2010, and she became the first female LSU athlete with a statue in the Plaza of Legacy, joining [autotag]Pete Maravich[/autotag], [autotag]Shaquille O’Neal[/autotag] and [autotag]Bob Pettit[/autotag].

“When you think about all the qualities involved in being a Hall of Fame player, no one checks all the boxes like Seimone,” LSU associate head coach Bob Starkey, who coached Augustus during her time at LSU, said in a release. “But what brings me the most pride is that she was a hall of fame person and teammate as well — I know of no one more deserving.”

The first overall pick in the 2006 WNBA draft, Augustus was a four-time league champion and eight-time All-Star. She was also named the WNBA Finals MVP in 2011 and has won three gold medals in the Olympics with Team USA.

Augustus retired in 2021 and spent two seasons as an assistant in the WNBA after her playing career. She will be inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame on April 27 at the Tennessee Theater in Knoxville.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Shaq calls Angel Reese ‘the greatest athlete to ever come out of LSU’

“The Big Diesel” went on a podcast and made a claim that Angel Reese is “the greatest athlete to ever come out of LSU. Male or Female.”

[autotag]Shaquille O’Neal[/autotag] went on a podcast and made a claim that [autotag]Angel Reese[/autotag] is ‘the greatest athlete to ever come out of LSU. Male or Female.’

Yes, he included himself. That is quite the statement when you ponder all of the best LSU athletes. We’re talking about Shaq, [autotag]Joe Burrow[/autotag], ‘Pistol’ [autotag]Pete Maravich[/autotag], [autotag]Seimone Augustus[/autotag] and [autotag]Courtney Blades-Rogers[/autotag]. The list goes on and on.

Shaq may be a victim of recency bias due to the Tigers just winning the national championship, but he is all in on Reese being the best athlete ever to step foot on the Bayou.

Reese has a chance to cement her legacy even further as she is not eligible for the WNBA draft until 2024. She helped bring LSU its first women’s hoops National Title as a Sophomore, can she do it again next year? Reese and Caitlin Clark lead that star-studded 2024 draft class.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1390]

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

[mm-video type=video id=01gx3vb07gxv0hy3z96s playlist_id=01eqbz5s7cf4w69e0n player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gx3vb07gxv0hy3z96s/01gx3vb07gxv0hy3z96s-de72a8f131d997d2c89a683bba155960.jpg]

Angel Reese and Seimone Augustus shared an awesome moment after LSU’s championship win

LSU basketball past and present embraced after the program’s first women’s NCAA tournament victory.

LSU women’s basketball legend Seimone Augustus shared a wonderful embrace with 2023 women’s NCAA tournament star Angel Reese after the Tigers won this year’s national title.

Augustus is one of the most accomplished women’s basketball players of all time, winning four WNBA titles with the Minnesota Lynx. Her No. 33 is retired by both LSU and Minnesota.

Her alma mater also put up a statue in her honor outside of its basketball arena this past January.

Of course, Augustus was on hand for LSU’s historic title win on Sunday against Iowa, and she shared in a really awesome hug with Reese after the victory. Augustus also shared some NSFW praise for Reese on the win.

NSFW language to follow. 

Well, isn’t that just the coolest thing? LSU past and present embracing in such a fantastic moment for the program really is what March Madness is all about.

Reese will join Augustus in LSU women’s basketball history, and they’ll get to celebrate now in the school’s historic title.

[pickup_prop id=”32923″]

LSU women’s basketball unveils Seimone Augustus statue

Augustus’ statue was unveiled in a ceremony outside the PMAC in front of a huge crowd.

[autotag]Seimone Augustus[/autotag]’ presence will forever be felt outside Pete Maravich Assembly Center. LSU honored the legend with a statue on Sunday.

Augustus played at LSU from 2002-06, where she has a strong argument as the greatest player in program history. She spent 15 years playing professional basketball, and she was a four-time champion and eight-time all-star in the WNBA.

Here’s a video of Kim Mulkey helping to pull the cover off the statue prior to the game.

Augustus is the first female athlete in LSU history to get a statue. Her number was previously retired in 2010. Athletic director [autotag]Scott Woodward[/autotag] said Augustus helped transform LSU women’s basketball.

She was a two-time SEC player of the year and the top overall pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft. She was national player of the year in her senior campaign and helped lead LSU to three final fours.

[mm-video type=video id=01gpq0de9vsm4xrdb8wj playlist_id=01eqbz5s7cf4w69e0n player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gpq0de9vsm4xrdb8wj/01gpq0de9vsm4xrdb8wj-ea32c8c319635be42ae6d5efc605c76f.jpg]

[listicle id=63353]

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

LSU to honor Seimone Augustus before game against South Carolina

LSU will honor Baton Rouge native Seimone Augustus before a showdown against No.1 South Carolina.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz5s7cf4w69e0n player_id=none image=https://lsutigerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Before the LSU Tigers take on the South Carolina Gamecocks, the LSU women’s basketball team will honor Seimone Augustus. The former Tiger played for four years at LSU and helped them make four Final Four appearances.

Augustus averaged 20.9 points per game while shooting 53.9% from the field as a junior. Also, Augustus was named the 2004-2205 National Player of the Year. She also earned the Wade Trophy, Naismith Award, John R. Wooden Award, Honda Award, and the Victor Award.

Augustus was even more impressive in her senior year. The Baton Rouge native won the National Player of the Year, the John R. Wooden Award, the Honda Award, and the Associated Press voted Player of the Year. Augustus led the nation in scoring with 22.7 points per game and shot 45% from beyond the arc.

Augustus left LSU as the second-leading scorer in LSU history, scoring 2,702 points. She also scored double figures in 132 of 140 games. The LSU legend No.33 jersey was retired in 2010.

After her time at LSU, Augustus went to the WNBA and had a successful career. The Minnesota Lynx drafted her with the first pick overall in the 2006 WNBA Draft. Augustus went on to play 15 years in the WNBA, winning four WNBA titles and was Finals MVP in 2011. The former LSU star also won three Olympic Gold Medals and was SEC Player of the Year twice.

Los Angeles Sparks announce Seimone Augustus’ retirement from WNBA

Seimone Augustus leaves quite the legacy as she ends her career on the court.

The Los Angeles Sparks announced May 13th that former Tiger all-star and 4-time WNBA Champion Seimone Augustus has retired and will join the Sparks coaching staff immediately.

During her tenure as a Tiger, Augustus was awarded countless accolades, while also leading LSU to three straight Final Four appearances. Repping the now-retired No.33 jersey-the two-time All-American won the Naismith College Player of the Year, Wooden Award and Wade Trophy in both 2005 and 2006.

Throughout her collegiate career, Augustus averaged 19.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and two assists per game. During her final season, she won the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, claiming her as the nation’s top senior women’s basketball player.

Her jersey-No.33 was ultimately retired by LSU on January 9, 2010, making her the first female athlete in school history to receive such an honor.

[lawrence-related id=17695]

The Baton Rouge native was drafted first overall by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2006 WNBA Draft and left to sign with her current team-the Sparks 14 years later.

As an eight-time all-star, Seimone Augustus has become one of the most recognized and successful WNBA players in the history of the league, helping to lead the Lynx to the 2011 WNBA Championship, the first of four that she won with the team.

Augustus retires from the league 10th in scoring in WNBA history with 6,005 points averaging 15.4 points per game. She played in a total of 58 playoff games, starting in 56, and averaged 15.5 points on 45.2% shooting in the postseason. Although she may be done on the court, she has a lot more to offer on the sideline.

“It’s an honor to continue to serve the game that has given me so much,” Augustus said. “I’m excited to join the Sparks staff and look forward to developing in this new role.”

There’s a reason why Tiger Nation wants to see a statue of No.33 on campus — the woman is a basketball legend.

[listicle id=17540]