Sue Bird, Fowles, Pondexter, Beard lead women's hoops HOF class

Four-time Olympic gold medalist Sue Bird highlights 2023 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame women's class

Four-time Olympic gold medalist Sue Bird headlines the 2023 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class as part of a five-person group featuring notable former WNBA and college stars.

The group announced Saturday also includes former Minnesota Lynx star Sylvia Fowles, former Los Angeles Sparks star Candace Parker, former Rutgers star Cappie Pondexter and former Tennessee star Tamika Catchings.

Bird played in 5 WNBA Finals, won 4 titles

A point guard, Sue Bird played in five WNBA Finals during her career, winning four championships with the Seattle Storm. She also won two NCAA titles at the University of Connecticut and four Olympic gold medals as a member of the United States national team. Bird retired from the WNBA in 2022 after 19 seasons, and she currently works as the Storm's director of basketball operations.

Fowles led Lynx to 4 WNBA championships

Sylvia Fowles was a key member of the Minnesota Lynx team that won four WNBA championships, including three consecutive titles from 2015-17. She was named the Finals MVP in 2015 and 2017. Fowles averaged 16.0 points and 10.2 rebounds over her 15-year WNBA career.

Parker won WNBA championship in 2016

Candace Parker played in the WNBA for 14 seasons, winning a championship with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2016. She was named the league's MVP that year, and she was also named an All-Star seven times. Parker is currently a member of the Chicago Sky. Candace is the daughter of former NBA player Larry.

Pondexter was key member of Rutgers' national title team

Cappie Pondexter was a key member of the Rutgers team that won the NCAA championship in 2007. She averaged 20.4 points per game that season. Pondexter played in the WNBA for 15 seasons, and she was an All-Star three times. She retired from the league in 2018.

Catchings won 4 Olympic gold medals

Tamika Catchings played in the WNBA for 15 seasons, winning a championship with the Indiana Fever in 2012. She was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year four times. Catchings won four Olympic gold medals as a member of the United States national team.

The Class of 2023 will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame on August 11, 2023.