NORFOLK, Va. – The WNBA honored Old Dominion University Sports Hall of Famer Ticha Penicheiro with inclusion on The W25 on Sunday. In commemorating its 25th season of competition, the WNBA recognized the 25 greatest and most influential players in the league's history.
"Throughout this season, the WNBA and our fans are celebrating the impact the WNBA has made on sports and society over a quarter of a century," WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. "I can think of no better way to honor those responsible for that impact than by unveiling the members of this prestigious group, The W25."
Penicheiro played in 454 games across 14 seasons in the WNBA, spending most of her career with the Sacramento Monarchs. A four-time All-Star and a three-time All-WNBA honoree, she led the league in assists seven times and currently ranks second in total assists (2,599) and in steals (764). In 2005, Penicheiro won a WNBA championship with Sacramento, the franchise's first and only title.
"It's an amazing honor to be selected as one of the top 25 players in the history of the WNBA," Penicheiro said. "With so many amazing players that have been a part of this league, I'm grateful and humbled to be among them. Growing up in Portugal I used to have big dreams and I can only say that I have surpassed all of them."
A native of Figueira da Foz, Portugal, Penicheiro starred at ODU from 1994-98 – scoring 1,304 points and totaling 939 assists and 591 steals. A two-time Kodak All-American in 1997 and 1998, she is still the Monarchs' all-time steals leader and trails only fellow ODU Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman in career assists.
Penicheiro was a two-time CAA Player of the Year and made the all-conference team four times. She became ODU's second recipient of the Wade Trophy in 1998, becoming the first international player to receive the honor.
Well, it's officially official - I made the final top25 @wnba list. I'm SO honored, grateful, humbled and thankful…NEVER in a million years I thought basketball was going to give me this MUCH!! ????
— Ticha Penicheiro (@TichaPenicheiro) September 5, 2021
ODU reached the NCAA Tournament in all four of Penicheiro's season on campus, making two Sweet 16s in 1996 and 1998 and reaching the title game in 1997. She was one of three Monarchs to make the Final Four All-Tournament Team in 1997.
Penicheiro graduated with a degree in communications and interdisciplinary studies. She was inducted into the ODU Sports Hall of Fame in May of 2006.