Debbie Brock
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Brock Set to Become Third Lady Statesmen Enshrined Into Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Debbie Brock will become the fourth Delta State University Lady Statesmen basketball player or coach to be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville, Tenn.
 

Brock, joins former Lady Statesmen head coach Margaret Wade (1999) and Lusia Harris (1999), who scored the first points in Olympic women's basketball history as a member of the 1976 U.S. Olympic team. Brock was also part of the 1975, 1976, and 1977 Lady Statesmen teams that were inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017 as "Trailblazers of the Game." The fourth member inducted includes Frances Garmon, who coached at Delta State from 1979-1983 and served as head coach for U.S. teams at the 1979 World University Games and the 1983 Pan American Games, directing the USA to gold medals in both events.


'It is a great honor to be (going) in (the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame)," Brock said. "I consider it a blessing and I am proud to represent Delta State University and the state of Mississippi. We had a lot of great times at Delta State and at Forrest Hill High School but I am mostly humbled by this honor."


Debbie Brock

Brock was a four-year starter at point guard for Delta State and helped lead Coach Wade's Lady Statesmen to an overall record of 120-9, including three consecutive AIAW National Championships (1975, 1976, 1977). Brock scored 903 career points (7.2 per game) and connected on 277 of 335 free throws (82.7 percent). She made 313 of 668 field goal attempts (46.9 percent), dished out 474 assists, the 9th best mark in DSU history, and pulled down 343 career rebounds as well.
 

Brock excelled on both ends of the floor and was honored by her teammates as Delta State's Best Defensive Player all four years while also being considered as the best pressure player on the team. She was selected to the 1977 Hanes Underalls and the 1978 Kodak All-America teams. Brock started at guard and helped lead the West squad to victory in the 1977 Underalls All-America Classic in Washington. She also played in the 1978 Hanes All-America Classic in Greensboro, N.C., and the Women's All-America Classic in Philadelphia, Pa. 
 

Although standing only 4 feet 11 inches tall and playing during an era of no three-point shots and a larger ball, Brock was considered one of the nation's best ball handlers. She had the rare ability to break the press off the dribble instead of passing. When defenses would collapse on Lusia Harris in the post, Brock made them pay with her accuracy from the top of the key or setting up teammates to score. Those skills translated to a 22 point outburst in the 1977 AIAW championship game against LSU, where she also did not turn the ball over. She also scored 17 points and had five steals to help bring Delta State back from a 13-point deficit to a 61-60 semi-final win over Wayland Baptist in the 1976 AIAW national tournament.
 

Delta State retired her uniform number 22 following her senior season and she was inducted into the Delta State Sports Hall of Fame in 1988.

 
The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Directors serves as the selection committee in determining which individuals will be inducted each year and which groups will be honored as "Trailblazers of the Game." Voting is based on minimum candidate requirements, which include record of performance, national or international recognition, and contributions to the game of women's basketball.
 
For more information on the 2021 Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Weekend and to purchase tickets, please visit www.wbhof.com.

DEBBIE BROCK BIO

COLLEGIATE PLAYING CAREER

  • Started at point guard all four years at Delta State and helped lead Coach Wade's Lady Statesmen to an overall record of 120-9, including three straight AIAW National Championships (1975, 1976, 1977).
  • Member of 1978 Kodak All-America team and 1977 Hanes Underalls All-America team.
  • Started at guard and helped lead the West squad to victory in the 1977 Underalls All-America Classic in Washington.  Also played in the 1978 Hanes All-America Classic in Greensboro, N.C., and the Women's All-America Classic in Philadelphia, Pa.
  • Was one of 12 athletes selected to tape Fiesta Bowl-NCAA drug commercials for 1976-77.
  • When the NCAA recognized the AIAW greats at the 2013 Women's Final Four championship game in New Orleans, Debbie Brock was one of 12 former players recognized along with former head coaches and administrators.
  • Following her senior season, Delta State retired her uniform number 22.
  • Inducted into the Delta State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1988.
  • Was selected Delta State's Best Defensive Player all four years and was considered the best pressure player on the team.
  • Scored 22 points in the 1977 AIAW championship game against LSU and did not commit a turnover. She also scored 17 points and had five steals to help bring Delta State back from a 13-point deficit to a 61-60 semi-final win over Wayland Baptist in the 1976 AIAW national tournament.
  • Scored 903 career points (7.2 per game), connected on 277 of 335 free throws (82.7 percent), made 313 of 668 field goal attempts (46.9 percent), was credited with 474 assists and pulled down 343 career rebounds. 
HIGH SCHOOL CAREER
  • Outstanding high school performer at Forest Hill (Miss.) High School where she won Most Valuable Player honors during her junior and senior years.
  • Voted Best Offensive Player in the 1974 Mississippi High School All-Star Game.
  • Coached at Forest Hill by her father, J. N. Brock.
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Below are capsules on this year's inductees. These are highlights of major accomplishments, and are not meant to be a comprehensive list of contributions these individuals have made to the game of basketball.

CAROL CALLAN (Contributor)
• Current USA Basketball Women's National Team Director (since 1996).
• Currently serves as Chair of the National Team Steering Committee, the National Team Player Selection Committee, and the Developmental National Team Committee.
• Currently serves as President of FIBA Americas and is a member of the FIBA Competitions Commission. 

SWIN CASH (Player)
• Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist (2004, 2012)
• Three-time WNBA Champion (2003, 2006, 2010), four-time WNBA All-Star (2003, 2005, 2009, 2011) and two-time WNBA All-Star Game MVP (2009, 2011)
• Guided the University of Connecticut to two NCAA National Championships in 2000 and 2002.

TAMIKA CATCHINGS (Player)
• Four-time Olympic Gold Medalist (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016).
• Guided the Indiana Fever to the 2012 WNBA Championship en route to being named the 2012 WNBA Finals MVP. 
• While at the University of Tennessee, she was named the 2000 WBCA Player of the Year, 2000 Naismith College Player of the Year, the 2000 AP Player of the Year and the 2000 USBWA Women's National Player of the Year. 

SUE DONOHOE (Contributor)
• Served as the Vice President of NCAA Division I Women's Basketball from 2003 to 2012.
• She was the Director of NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship (2002-2003) and was the Director of NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship (1999-2002). 
• 2019 WBCA Lifetime Achievement recipient, 2017 Dave Dixon Award recipient and Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inductee.

LAUREN JACKSON (International Player)
• Two-time WNBA Champion with the Seattle Storm (2004, 2010).
• Seven-time WNBA All-Star and three-time WNBA MVP.
• Guided Australia Women's National Basketball Team to three Olympic silver medals (2000, 2004, 2008) and one Olympic bronze medal (2012).

CAROL STIFF (Contributor)
• Currently ESPN Vice President for Programming & Acquisitions with emphasis on NCAA women's basketball, WNBA and other women's sports.
• 2011 WBCA Mel Greenberg Media Award winner. 
• Launched the Jimmy V Week and launched the Kay Yow Cancer Fund week assisting in $7.53 million in donations over 12 years to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

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