Deanna Nolan: A Basketball Legend
Deanna Nolan is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) for 15 seasons. She was a three-time WNBA champion, a five-time WNBA All-Star, and the 2006 WNBA Finals MVP. Nolan is considered one of the greatest players in WNBA history.
High School
Nolan was born in Flint, Michigan, and attended Flint Northern High School. She was a two-time All-State selection and led her team to two state championships. Nolan was also a standout track and field athlete, winning the state championship in the long jump.
College
Nolan played college basketball at the University of Georgia. She was a two-time All-American and led the Bulldogs to the Final Four in 1999. Nolan was also a member of the USA Basketball U19 team that won a gold medal at the 1997 World Championship.
Professional
Nolan was drafted by the Detroit Shock with the sixth overall pick in the 2001 WNBA draft. She quickly became a star for the Shock, helping them win three WNBA championships in 2003, 2006, and 2008. Nolan was named the WNBA Finals MVP in 2006. She was also a five-time WNBA All-Star and was named to the All-WNBA First Team in 2005 and 2007.
In 2013, Nolan signed with the Russian team UMMC Ekaterinburg. She won four EuroLeague championships with UMMC, including three consecutive titles from 2016 to 2018. Nolan retired from professional basketball in 2018.
Current Status
Deanna Nolan is currently retired from professional basketball and is now a DJ and owner of a restaurant in Chicago called Vino and Vibes. The restaurant is a wine bar and music venue that celebrates women in music. She is also an ambassador for the WNBA and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. She is passionate about using her platform to promote women’s basketball and to inspire young girls to play the game.
Deanna played for the Detroit Shock, Los Angeles Sparks, and UMMC Ekaterinburg during her career. She won three WNBA championships, four Russian League championships, and three EuroLeague championships.
Legacy
Deanna Nolan is one of the greatest players in WNBA history. She was a three-time WNBA champion, a five-time WNBA All-Star, and the 2006 WNBA Finals MVP. Nolan is also a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Nolan retired from professional basketball in 2015. She finished her career with 3,971 points, 1,112 rebounds, 930 assists, and 388 steals. Deanna was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.She is an inspiration to young women everywhere and her legacy will continue to inspire for years to come.
