KNOXVILLE, TN -- DeLisha Milton-Jones made the cut.
On Jan. 20, she was announced as one of 12 finalists for the 23rd class of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Three weeks later on Feb. 14, Milton-Jones got the call that she would be a hall of famer.
"When the nomination for the finalists came out, I was so excited and nervous all at the same time because I was so close, I didn't know if my heart could take it if I make it to this point and they tell me I'm going to have to wait a little bit longer," Milton-Jones said. "My husband tracks these things and told me that he sees me being a hall of famer one day. Usually, it happens about 5-6 years post-retirement and said the time's right and he thinks I'm going to make it. And sure enough, the finalists came out and I told myself to not even think about it. But everybody and their mama was bringing it up left and right. I didn't know what to expect but it's in God's hands and was hoping that people would do justice on my career by donning me with that honor. And on Friday of last week, late in the evening, I got a phone call from Carolyn Peck informing me that I made it and I cried like a baby – snotty, messy cry. But I just kept catching myself and said until I see this thing on TV during this game, that's when I know it's real. I couldn't be more at peace and happier for this moment."
After officially declared to be a member of the class, the Riceboro homer and Bradwell Institute alum took to Twitter to express her gratitude.
“Valentine’s Day ended with a bang for me today. #OrangeJacketMePlease @WBHOF
Congrats to all the inductees and thank you to the selection committee
#HonoredAndBlessed”
Graduating from Bradwell in 1993, Milton-Jones went on the University of Florida to have an All-American basketball career before being selected fourth overall in the 1999 WNBA Supplemental Draft.
To summarize Milton-Jones’ basketball career: 17-year WNBA career, 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist, 2-time WNBA Champion, 2-time WNBA All-Star – and now, a hall of famer.
In her WNBA career she averaged 11.2 points per game, 5.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 steals as a forward.
"I knew coming out of Riceboro that a lot of people never really wanted to give Riceboro and even Briar Bay the just due that that are deserves," Milton-Jones said of her hometown. "There's some bonafide athletes that come from my neck of the woods. We're from the sticks. The backwoods back there. I made it my passion to be able to put Riceboro on the map. And anytime anyone wanted to interview me, people to would tell me to say I'm from Liberty County or Savannah. No. I'm from Riceboro, Georgia and I'm proud. If I disown my city, I'm disowning my people. It does me all the good knowing that anybody from Riceboro have an opportunity to brag on our city by being able to speak about me and all the wonderful things that I've been blessed to do in my long career as a basketball player. And for all the young ones that come up after me whether their male or female, I'm hoping that I left them a shining example and a blueprint as to how far you can go and how many people's lives you can touch and enrich at the same time."
She now serves as the head coach of the Old Dominion women’s basketball team who are currently 19-5 in the 2021-22 season.
The 2022 inductees will be rewarded their Eastman Trophy and Baron Championship Induction Ring on June 11 at the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville.
"I'm hoping that I can get all the tears out before that moment occurs so that I can actually spend my 5-7 minutes of airtime to speak by actually speaking and not crying and trying to catch my breath," Milton-Jones jokingly said of the induction ceremony. "I feel like everything I prayed for, sacrificed, and worked for is manifesting itself in that moment. And when you are donned with an honor as the title of a hall of famer, it doesn't matter where you were overlooked, neglected, shunned, or any opportunities you missed – it doesn't matter because when you're recognized on that stage, that means that the main people who needed to see you and recognized you for the great legacy you are building, it's done. I can look at my work and say that it was not in vain and can feel proud of it. That moment is going to be awesome. I'm hoping that all my family and friends near and dear to me are able to make it out so that we can celebrate. And for those that aren't, maybe we could do some type of big cookout back home so we can celebrate each other because it took a village, the entire community, their prayers, and their support from afar and near. I want them to know this is just as much their honor as it is mine."
For ticket information click here.
To see the entire 2022 Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, click here.