The NBA and WNBA communities held hands together to mourn the demise of a legend of women’s basketball. The Hall of Famer was part of the team that is often acknowledged for leading to the inception of the WNBA. Women’s basketball icons, such as Sue Bird and Candace Parker, who considered the late coach an inspiration, paid their respects to her. The late 51-year-old coach was previously diagnosed with a deadly disease.

Adding honorable accolades to her bag was easy money for this “cold hooper“.

Basketball legend’s battle with a deadly disease comes to an end?

Playing in both the ABA and WNBA, Nikki McCray-Penson inspired young girls for a good number of decades. After her college career, McCray-Penson was named to the U.S. women?s national team in 1995, which largely has been credited for leading to the inception of the WNBA in 1997. Moreover, extending her service to the nation, McCray bagged two Olympic gold medals before her WNBA career came to a halt in 2006. However, McCray couldn’t step away from what she loved the most.

Joining the University of North Carolina as an assistant coach, the late legend started her coaching career right after retiring. McCray served as an assistant under Dawn Staley?s staff at South Carolina. She was part of the team?s 2017 NCAA championship season. Staley shared a gut-wrenching post on Twitter, paying respect to “my little sister, my friend, my foxhole partner, my teammate, my fast food snacker, my basketball junkie, my fellow Olympian, my gold medalist and now my angel.”

2013 turned out to be a terrible year for McCray that could have put an end to her career instantly. The 1997 ABL MVP revealed she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Though it stunned many, McCray took it like a champ. The 3x WNBA All-Star won the battle against cancer for the first time to continue her coaching career in the NCAA, but not the second time. Due to secondary complications from breast cancer, McCray sadly lost the battle.

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Despite battling cancer, McCray had the courage to come back out there and resumed doing what she loved the most. This stubborn dedication is what made her passing heavy for a few veterans and her fans.

Tributes pour in for 2012 Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductee

13x WNBA All-Star Sue Bird shared the post of WNBA that celebrated the life of the late legend. Fellow Tennessee alum and 2x WNBA champion, Candace Parker shared a throwback picture of McCray on her Instagram story and added,?“Coach, got you.”

5x NBA All-Star Chris Webber brought out his emotional side as he tweeted, “Sweet person and cold hooper! Rest in Peace,”?along with a few wholesome pictures.?

McCray was also part of the Chicago Sky’s inaugural roster in 2006. She suited up 11 times for the Sky before retiring. The franchise also paid its respect to the legend.

Fans were emotional as well! Several social media users shared their memories of watching McCray ball out on the court. She clearly made a huge impact during her time with the Washington Mystics. One fan stated, “RIP to the greatest basketball player in the history of Washington.”

What was your favorite moment in Nikki McCray’s career? Share in the comments below!

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