Yolanda Evette Griffith

Class of 2014

Griffith played at Palm Beach Junior College (1990-91) being named a 1991 Kodak Junior College All-American
Griffith was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Women’s Basketball All-Century Team
She transferred to Florida Atlantic University (1992-93) being named a 1993 Kodak Division II All-American and the 1993 WBCA Division II Player of the Year
Griffith holds the FAU single season record for points scored (621), scoring average (28.2), field goal % (.631), rebounds (352), and rebounding average (16.0), despite playing in just 22 games
In 2006, Griffith was inducted into the Florida Atlantic University Hall of Fame
Her professional basketball career spans over 16 years; Griffith has played professionally in the US, Germany, Russia, Italy, South Korea, and China, being named an All-Star in each league.
Griffith was the 1999 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and Most Valuable Player. The trinity was not accomplished by another player until 2008.
She played 11 years in the WNBA, leading the Sacramento Monarchs to a win in the 2005 WNBA Championship, where she was named Finals MVP. Yolanda led the Monarchs to back-to-back WNBA Finals appearances in 2005 and 2006
She was an eight time WNBA All-Star, two time All-WNBA First Team selection, three time All-WNBA Second Team selection, she was named to the WNBA All-Decade Team and the WNBA Top 15 Players of All Time
She was the 1998 American Basketball League (ABL) Defensive Player of the Year, and a 1998 All-ABL First Team selection.
Griffith finished 2nd in the ABL Most Valuable Player voting in 1998
She played in Germany for 1993-97, being the top scorer and rebounder (24.7 ppg, 16.0 rpg) in the EuroLeague in 1997.
In 2003, Griffith led UMMC Ekaterinburg to an EuroLeague Championship
She helped guide USA Basketball to two Olympic Gold Medals in 2000 and 2004.
Griffith is a current member of USA Basketball Women’s Developmental National Team Selection Committee
Yolanda currently serves as First Assistant Coach for the Lafayette College Women’s Basketball program