There is no question of Pat Summitt’s impact on the game of basketball—either on the women’s side or the men’s side. In terms of the WNBA, she made the University of Tennessee a virtual basketball factory of future pro talent for the league.
Summitt sent 39 of her Lady Vols into the WNBA and won eight NCAA National Championships. Needless to say, she is a huge reason why the WNBA and the sport of women’s basketball have made the strides it has.
Among those former Lady Vols is the Los Angeles Sparks’ Candace Parker. After a game in which she scored 31 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in an 89-84 win over the Dallas Stars, she remembered her Lady Vols coach in an emotional interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe.
Last night an emotional Candace Parker remembered her late coach after a 31-13 performance. https://t.co/rKCBOkO3dR
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 29, 2016
From here on out, I’m playing for (Pat Summitt).
-Candace Parker
You held true to your promises…and some. Thank you Coach for always being the perfect role model I love you. #RIP pic.twitter.com/HvA1mODwfP
— Candace Parker (@Candace_Parker) June 28, 2016
Kara Lawson, who also played her college basketball with Tennessee from 1999-2003 also paid tribute to Summitt in this video with with VFL Films.
Powerful words from @KaraLawson20 in this moving @VFL_Films tribute to our beloved friend, Pat Summitt.https://t.co/tb9Sr83I28
— Lady Vol Basketball (@LadyVol_Hoops) June 29, 2016
Read this heartfelt piece from @Catchin24 on her mentor, Pat Summitt: https://t.co/vSiRTLAEnQ pic.twitter.com/jlDcOguU7R
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 29, 2016
In the above piece that Tamika Catchings shared on SportsBlog.com as well as on the Indiana Fever website, she shared how emotional she was when she heard the news that Summitt had passed and also how great of a person and a coach she was.
Chamique Holdsclaw played for Tennessee from 1995-1999 and talked with Doug Gottlieb about what Pat Summitt meant to her.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_OPJUC2MpI
When you leave Tennessee and you look back on your time there, you really say, ‘You know what, she’s my hero.’
–Chamique Holdsclaw
Nancy Lieberman talked with The Dan Patrick Show about how one of Summitt’s great accomplishments was not only what she did for Tennessee, but what she did for other women’s college basketball programs to bring a higher profile for them through the Lady Vols.
There’s no stat line to helping somebody change how women’s basketball is perceived.
–Nancy Lieberman
Condolences and thoughts continued to pour in via social media from inside and outside the sporting realm as the news spread.
Wow, just woke up to some shocking news. #RIP to the pioneer of women’s basketball, Pat Summitt. A legend. Thank you. You will be missed.
— Breanna Stewart (@bre_stewart30) June 28, 2016
Another legend gone too soon…praying for Pat Summitt’s family, her former players and the whole basketball community! #RIPPAT ???
— Ticha Penicheiro (@TichaPenicheiro) June 28, 2016
Sending condolences to the family and friends of Pat Summitt – a great leader on and off the court. pic.twitter.com/TFvAghYdCT
— LA 2024 (@LA2024) June 28, 2016
Rest In Heaven Coach Pat Summitt.#Legend pic.twitter.com/imqA1k80qB
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) June 28, 2016
RIP the great Pat Summitt. Legend
— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) June 28, 2016
In memoriam of legendary head coach and pioneer, Pat Summitt.https://t.co/cT6ZMBODHI
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 28, 2016
