Basketball legend Ticha Penicheiro inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame.
Filling with Gratitude: Ticha Penicheiro's Historic Induction into the FIBA Hall of Fame
Let's have a chat about the badass basketball phenomenon, Ticha Penicheiro! This legendary figure recently took to her Instagram, brimming with gratitude for being inducted into the prestigious FIBA Hall of Fame.
Hailing from Figueira da Foz, Ticha had a sneaking suspicion that this momentous day was on the horizon ever since January. She gracefully accepted a trophy at the National Theatre in Manama, where she stood alongside other titans of the sport, with Spanish player Pau Gasol leading the charge.
"I'm immensely thankful to everyone who backed me, had faith in me, and guided me on this epic journey," the only Portuguese player to set foot in this basketball 'gallery of stars' declared. "This accomplishment isn't just mine; it's for all of us!"
Ticha Penicheiro blazed a trail in women's basketball, drawing her career curtains in 2012. She made some serious noise in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), clinching the championship in 2005 while sporting the jerseys of Sacramento Monarchs, LA Sparks, and Chicago Fire, repping the number 21 each time. In 2011, she joined the select group of 15 all-time WNBA legends[2].
While her time with the Sacramento Monarchs proved victorious, Ticha consistently made the All-Star team four times, the All-WNBA First Team twice, the All-Defensive First Team, and led the assist category a whopping seven times[2]. Talk about racking up the accolades!
When the WNBA celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2016, Ticha was among the elite athletes chosen to represent the competition's two-decade legacy[3]. Needless to say, Ticha lorded her skills over various European teams, including Spartak Moscow, USK Prague, Galatasaray, TTT Riga, Vallencienes, Ekaterinburg, Gdynia, and Lavezzini Parma[2].
For those unacquainted, Ticha's WNBA assists record stood tall until September 1, 2017, when Sue Bird nudged her out of the top spot[3]. But her induction into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2025 left no doubt about her lasting global impact on basketball[1]. Simply put, Ticha Penicheiro is the real MVP!
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What about Ticha Penicheiro's sports career beyond WNBA? Did she only play basketball?Her WNBA journey wasn't just about its championship win in 2005; she also found success in various European basketball leagues like Spartak Moscow, USK Prague, and Ekaterinburg, to name a few.
