Women’s basketball legend Michele Timms inducted into FIBA Hall of Fame

WOMEN’S basketball trailblazer Michele Timms has been inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame, the three-time Olympian honoured at a ceremony in Switzerland.

Australian basketball legend Michele Timms has been inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame. Picture: David Kapernick

MICHELE Timms — more than any other woman — is a trailblazer for basketball in Australia.

A household name at her peak, the three-time Olympian, who claimed bronze and silver medals with the Opals, has been inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame.

She was joined by two-time NBA champion Hakeem Olajuwon and former NBA Commissioner David Stern, among others, at an enshrinement ceremony in Switzerland, last night.

MORE: Timms says Opals can bounce back from Rio disappointment

“I was really nervous because I wasn’t sure I belonged, but as soon as I got to Switzerland, all the class of 2016 members were so down to earth and welcoming,” Timms told the Herald Sun.

Michele Timms and daughter Kalsie at the induction ceremony. Picture: Neil Timms

“The actual dinner had a fantastic atmosphere, filled with a lot of love and admiration between the class.

“Definitely meeting Hakeem was a highlight as was David Stern, whom I had numerous chats with.

“Hakeem was one of the most humble and sweet NBA players I’ve ever met.”

Pint-sized Timms stood just 164cm, but she was a giant on the court.

An Olympic silver medal in Sydney was one of Michele Timms’ crowning glories.

With her short, golden blonde hairstyle, it was impossible to miss her, given that almost everything good that happened on the floor for the Opals went through her hands, you never took your eyes off her anyway.

Melbourne-born Timms made it her mission to set firsts.

She was the first woman to take her talents overseas, landing a deal in Germany in 1989 — her first contract worth just $30,000.

“After the 1988 Olympics, I remember sitting in a coffee shop in Seoul with (teammate) Robyn Maher discussing our future,” she said.

“Basically a ‘where to from now’ conversation.

“I said ‘I’d love to head overseas and play professionally’ but I had no idea how to action that idea, so it pretty much got shelved.

“Back then we were so isolated from the concept of playing professionally overseas, and no one had agents back then, so there was no guidance.”

Michele Timms handles the rock, as she often did for the Opals, circa 1994.

A chance call to Basketball Australia from Munich club SG Munchen, seeking a point guard, was all the opportunity Timms needed.

“I was so excited to go, but really nervous,” she said.

“I come from a big family of nine kids and never lived away.

“I got over there and spent my first month’s pay on the phone bill in the first two weeks.

“I remember calling mum and telling her I wanted to come home but, as sympathetic as she was, she told me I had made a commitment and I had to stick to it.

“Which I’m so glad I did.

“Munich was to turn out to be one of the best experiences of my pro life.

“The people were fantastic and the place was amazing.”

The heart and soul of the Opals then became the first Aussie to break into the USA, joining the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA in its inaugural season, 1997.

Part of the Mercury team that made it all the way to the WNBA Finals a year later, only to go down to the Houston Comets, Timms left the club as its all-time leader in assists and had her jersey retired in 2002.

She was world basketball’s Women’s International Player of the Year in 1994 and 1996.

Timms says she is comfortable with the “trailblazer” title.

“It wasn’t something I set out to be, but I’m very proud of the trailblazer title,” she said.

“It was only a matter of time before others followed because the Europeans loved our work ethic.

“They had dealt all those years with Americans and then Aussies break into the scene with the first question being ‘how many times a week do I get to train’ instead of ‘how much money can you give me”.

Michelle shows off her FIBA Hall of Fame gong. Picture: Supplied

“Our work ethic and ability to fit in and be part of a team in every sense of the word, saw an influx of Australian players head to Europe after myself, Shelley Gorman and Sandy Brondello did.

“The same happened in the WNBA, I was lucky enough to be the first Australian player selected for the inaugural season, but it wasn’t long before we had more Aussies.

“So trailblazer, yes, that’s something I’m comfortable with.”

She calls her time in Phoenix “every pro athlete’s Disneyland”.

“It was amazing,” she said.

“We got a taste of what it was like to be an NBA player.

“Five-star treatment and fans jumping out of their skin to meet you.

“I even had people turning up to games sporting my hairdo.

“I’ll be honest, to see the players Phoenix have these days like Diana Taurasi — the best female player on this planet right now — and our very own Superstar Penny Taylor, it’s a bit embarrassing knowing my jersey was retired, because these kids have done so much more than I have in Phoenix.

“I think my jersey was up there for a couple of reasons, the playing side of things but also my involvement with the community.

“So I’m very proud of that.”

Timms singles out the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 as her crowning glory, when Australia won bronze, the nation’s first ever medal in the sport, men or women.

“It was the most memorable and defining moment for Australian women’s basketball,” she said.

“It was a coming of age for the Opals and it was a tribute to those who had gone before us.

“That was 20 years ago and until the recent Olympics in Rio, we had medalled every Olympics in the past 20 years.”

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Michele was a force on the court for the Phoenix ... and in her photoshoots!