Opals great Michele Timms now officially a Basketball Australia Legend

SHE was a groundbreaker renown as one of the grittiest players in world basketball, a terrier who put her body on the line in every match she played. Now “Timmsy” has created more history.

Opals player Michelle Timms was in her prime in the 90s and early 2000s.

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SHE was a groundbreaker renown as one of the grittiest players in world basketball, a terrier who put her body on the line in every match she played.

She also lead the way for Australian players making a mark overseas as the first to play in an overseas league as a professional.

The woman known to family and fans alike as “Timmsy’’ was one of the most recognisable and admired female athletes in the country in her day.

Michelle Timms playing with the Opals.

Now Opal great Michele Timms, who was recently inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame, will be officially recognised as a Legend.

She is the first player — male or female — to achieve this milestone.

Timms next month will be enshrined as a Legend as seven athletes, coaches and contributors are inducted into the Basketball Australia Hall of Fame.

“To be elevated to Legend status is a prestigious honour that I am truly overwhelmed to be receiving,” Timms said.

Playing for Nunawading. Michele Timms, centre.

The feisty point guard played 285 games in the WNBL, won five championship crowns (1986-89, 1992) and was named in the All-Star WNBL team seven times (1988-92, 94, 96).

She played overseas with German club Lotus Muchen in 1989 and represented her country in 264 internationals, competed in four world championships (1986, 90, 94, 98) and three Olympics for a bronze in 1996 and a silver medal in 2000.

“I am overawed when I look at the current Basketball Australia Legends, people that are synonymous with basketball in this country like (Lindesay) Gaze, (Betty) Watson, (Alistair) Ramsay and (John) Raschke,” she said.

Opals player Michele Timms hugs Trish Fallon after Australia defeated Brazil at the Sydney Olympics.

“It is a special feeling to be named alongside them.”

Timms is the second woman to become a Legend alongside Betty Watson, the founding mother of women’s basketball in Australia.