LSU legend Seimone Augustus expresses gratitude for Kim Mulkey after Hall of Fame induction
Seimone Augustus will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in a ceremony at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday. This is her third Hall of Fame induction following inductions into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in April and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in June.
On May 20, LSU Tigers coach Kim Mulkey announced the hiring of Augustus as an assistant coach. Ahead of her enshrinement, Augustus talked about her relationship with Mulkey since her return to Baton Rouge.
"I’ve absorbed a vast amount of knowledge in such a short span," said Augustus. "Coach Mulkey has really taken me under her wing. Whether she’s breaking down film, teaching or upbraiding us, she ensures to come over and explain her approach."
Augustus' hiring is a strong signal of her intent, as she looks to take the program back to the pinnacle of women's college basketball in the 2024-25 season. Mulkey led the Tigers to their first national championship in 2023 and the Elite Eight last season.
Seimone Augustus to be inducted alongside Chauncey Billups and Vince Carter
As part of the Class of 2024 for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Seimone Augustus is in elite company. Besides Augustus, the list of 13 features 2004 NBA champion Chauncy Billups, eight-time All-Star Vince Carter and 14-time All-Star Jerry West, who died in June, as a contributor after going in as a player in 1983.
In four seasons with the Tigers, Augustus became one of the greatest players in program history. The Baton Rouge native won the Naismith College Player of the Year, the Wooden Award and the Wade Trophy twice in a row, and was the NCAA scoring leader for the 2006 season. She led LSU to three consecutive Final Fours.
Augustus stepped up her game in the WNBA after the Minnesota Lynx made her the top pick in the 2006 draft. She led the franchise to four WNBA championships and was named an All-Star eight times. She also won three Olympic gold medals.
The Tigers retired Augustus' No. 33 jersey on January 26, 2010, with the Lynx following suit in 2022. Last January, Augustus became the first female athlete to have her statue on the LSU campus.
Her return to Baton Rouge as Mulkey's assistant coach looks likely to make the Tigers stronger in the 2024-25 season, who are touted as preseason favorites for the NCAA Tournament.