Michele Timms OAM OLY

One word that has defined Michele Timms throughout her life in basketball is TOUGH. From her earliest days on the courts at Bulleen Stadium in Melbourne, Michele has always been fighting upwards, working harder and demanding respect from peers and opponents alike.

Timms first came to prominence in the 1980’s as a driving force behind the Spectres dynasty that dominated the WNBL’s first decade. She would eventually amass a 285 game record that included four clubs, five championships and seven All-WNBL First Team selections.

But Michele was never better than when wearing her nation’s colours. Over a 14 year international career that spanned four World Championships and three Olympic campaigns, Timms was indomitable in regularly besting taller and more skilled opponents. Who will ever forget her epic battle with Russia’s Irina Routkovskaia in Atlanta?

Michele was a pioneer in drawing the world’s attention to our basketball talent. She was the first Australian woman to play for a European club and she blazed the trail for Australians to take over the WNBA (her no. 7 uniform remains the only number retired by the Phoenix Mercury, although that will soon change).

Once the body gave out, Timms transitioned into coaching where amongst several overseas stints she became the second female assistant coach hired by an NBL club (working for the South Dragons).

In a year where Michele Timms has already been weighed down with honours, it is with the greatest pride that Basketball Australia adds another word to the definition of this icon of the game: LEGEND!

Achievements

– Was the first Australian female basketballer to play in Europe (Germany).

– Played 264 matches for Australia.

– Played 285 WNBL matches and won five Championships – 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1992.

– Represented Australia in four World Championships – 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998.

– Represented Australia in three Olympics Games – 1988, 1996, 2000.

– Basketball Australia Merit Award – 1991.

– Two-time Basketball Australia International Player of the Year – 1994, 1996.

– Played in the inaugural season of the WNBA for Phoenix Mercury – 1996.

– Captained the Opals to their first Olympic silver medal in 2000.

– Her No. 7 WNBA singlet was retired in 2001 as a mark of respect.

– Inducted into the Basketball Australia Hall of Fame in 2006.