2025 FIBA Hall of Fame: Ticha Penicheiro

MIES (Switzerland) - Revered guard Ticha Penicheiro, who won EuroLeague Women, EuroCup Women, and a WNBA Championship along with seven domestic titles in seven different countries, is being inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame Class of 2025. She will be honored at an enshrinement ceremony in Bahrain on May 17 and is joined by Alphonse Bilé (Côte d'Ivoire), Andrew Bogut (Australia), Leonor Borrell (Cuba), Pau Gasol (Spain), Ratko Radovanovic (Serbia), Dawn Staley (USA); as well as Coach Mike Krzyzewski (USA).

The Portuguese guard has been a trophy magnet throughout her extensive and eye-catching career, first gaining prominence for her displays in the NCAA with Old Dominion. Her standout contributions attracted a glut of individual awards, including the highly sought-after and prestigious Wade Trophy in 1998.

Moving from the college game into the professional ranks, Penicheiro gained further acclaim for her club performances across Europe and the United States.

Penicheiro enjoyed major international success in Europe as well. She landed back-to-back continental titles—winning the FIBA EuroCup Women in 2006 with Spartak Moscow and securing the even more coveted EuroLeague Women's title in 2007 with the Russian powerhouse.

In doing so, she fulfilled the rare feat of completing the set of EuroLeague Women, EuroCup Women, and WNBA titles.

Meanwhile, in domestic club competitions, her brilliance was just as undeniable. Penicheiro won trophies in an astounding seven different leagues while playing for 11 European teams over her career. Her silverware haul included titles in the Polish League (2001), Italian Cup (2002), French League (2005), Latvian League (2008), Czech League (2011), and Turkish Cup (2012) — achievements that added to her storied success on both sides of the Atlantic.

In the United States, she spent much of her time stepping out with distinction while donning a Sacramento Monarchs jersey, where she spent almost a decade, before also representing the Los Angeles Sparks and the Chicago Sky.

Crowned a WNBA Champion in 2005 — the ultimate team honor — her list of individual accomplishments is outstanding. A four-time WNBA All-Star and two-time All-WNBA First Team member, she led the league in assists for five consecutive years between 1998 and 2003, eventually claiming the title of WNBA assists leader seven times.

But it wasn't only on the offensive end that she stood out. Penicheiro also made the WNBA All-Defensive Team in 2008, and her all-around game was further heralded by being named to the WNBA 15th, 20th, and 25th Anniversary Teams — distinctions that highlighted her enduring influence on the competition.

Everywhere she went, Penicheiro left an unmistakable mark, elevating clubs and thrilling fans with her trademark playmaking flair. Renowned for her dazzling no-look passes and inventive ball-handling, Penicheiro's playing style was a masterclass in creativity, vision, and flair, setting her apart as one of the most electrifying point guards in women's basketball history.

Penicheiro was also enshrined in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.

FIBA