Ridgewood Native Anne Donovan Elected To NJ Hall Of Fame

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Anne Donovan, a former basketball star for Paramus Catholic High School and a Hall of Fame, championship-winning coach, was elected to the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

Donovan, a Ridgewood native, is one of four people to be posthumously elected to this year's Hall of Fame class. She was 56 when she died in June 2018 of heart failure.

She was one of the most successful women's basketball players in New Jersey history.

Related: Hall Of Fame Coach, Ridgewood Native Anne Donovan Dies

Donovan led Paramus Catholic High School to two consecutive undefeated seasons and state championships. She played four years and won a national championship at Old Dominion University.

Donovan coached in the WNBA from 2000 to 2010 and 2013 to 2015. She coached the Seattle Storm to a championship in 2004.

A three time Olympian, Donovan won gold medals for Team USA in 1984 and 1988 as a player. She won a gold medal as an assistant coach for Team USA in 2004 and as head coach in 2008. She coached the Seton Hall University women's team from 2010 to 2013.

She is the only person to win a women's college championship and coach a team to a professional title.

Donovan was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995 and was a member of the inaugural class of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.

Women's National Basketball Association President Lisa Borders released a statement following Donovan's death:

"A decorated player and trailblazing coach, Anne Donovan played a seminal role in the growth of women's basketball. For all she accomplished in college, the WNBA, and on the international stage during her Hall of Fame career, Anne will also be remembered as a valued mentor and dear friend to so many in the game," Borders said. "On behalf of the WNBA, we extend our deepest sympathies to the Donovan family during this difficult time."

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com