Taj McWilliams-Franklin is a name that every basketball fan should know. She is a former professional basketball player who played in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and internationally. She has also coached in the WNBA and NBA G League. McWilliams-Franklin’s career spanned over two decades, and she is considered one of the greatest players in women’s basketball history. As the Connecticut Sun prepare to retire her jersey next month, fans and basketball enthusiasts alike remember McWilliams-Franklin’s illustrious career and lasting impact on the sport.
Early career
McWilliams-Franklin was born on Oct. 20, 1970, in Petersburg, Virginia. She attended St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, where she played college basketball. After college, McWilliams-Franklin played professionally in Europe before joining the WNBA.
Taj McWilliams-Franklin’s WNBA career
McWilliams-Franklin played for several WNBA teams throughout her career, including the Orlando Miracle, Connecticut Sun, Los Angeles Sparks, Detroit Shock, Washington Mystics, and Minnesota Lynx. She won two WNBA championships, one with the Detroit Shock in 2008 and the other with the Minnesota Lynx in 2011.
Over her 14-year WNBA career, McWilliams-Franklin played in 499 games and started in 490 of them. She averaged 11.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. She was also named to the All-Star team five times and was selected to the All-WNBA First Team in 2005.
International career
McWilliams-Franklin also played internationally, primarily in Spain and Israel. She played for several teams, including Hondarribia-Irun in Spain and Maccabi Ramat Hen in Israel. She also played for the United States women’s national basketball team in the 1998 FIBA World Championship and won a gold medal.
Taj McWilliams-Franklin’s coaching career
After retiring as a player, McWilliams-Franklin became an assistant coach for the Texas Legends of the NBA G League. In 2019, she was named an assistant coach for the Dallas Wings, and in 2021, she became an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Sparks.
Legacy and awards
McWilliams-Franklin’s impressive career has not gone unnoticed. In 2021, she was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. She is also a member of the St. Edward’s University Athletics Hall of Fame and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
McWilliams-Franklin is a basketball legend, both as a player and coach. Her impressive career spanned over two decades, during which she won two WNBA championships, played internationally, and coached in the WNBA and NBA G League. She was also recognized for her achievements with several awards, including induction into multiple sports Halls of Fame. Just recently, she was named to the Minnesota Lynx All-25 Team. McWilliams-Franklin’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations of basketball players and fans.
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