Inductees

In basketball terms, Betty Lennox has done and seen it all. And that’s not hyperbole.

She began her basketball career playing 6-on-6 in Oklahoma before moving to Fort Osage High School in Independence, where she eventually led the Indians to a 27-1 record as a senior, twice earning All-State honors.

In junior college she helped lead Trinity Valley to a national championship as Tournament MVP before finishing her career at Louisiana Tech under the tutelage of legendary coach Leon Barmore.

But it was in the WNBA where Lennox had her greatest impact. She was a pioneer for the fledgling league, eventually becoming one of its best players. In 2004, she led the Seattle Storm to a WNBA title, earning Finals MVP.

And now, some 13 years after her retirement, Lennox is still involved in coaching and teaching the game around Kansas City. All of that is why the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame proudly inducted Lennox as a member of the Class of 2024.

As a child, it didn’t take long for Lennox to gravitate to basketball.

“As a little girl I caught on to basketball as a third grader when I saw my older brothers playing,” Lennox said.

If you think her brothers took it easy on her, you might need to think again.

“They were not nice to me on the basketball court,” Lennox said, “which made me the player that played with a chip on her shoulder.”

Lennox grew up on a farm outside of Oklahoma City, before she and her family moved to Independence. Living on a working farm helped Lennox with basketball and in life.

“Growing up and working in the fields taught me to be disciplined and gave me a work ethic that taught me that you don’t quit until the work is done,” Lennox said.

She needed that discipline when she moved from Oklahoma to Missouri. For years, Lennox played 6-on-6 basketball but that changed when she arrived in Independence in the early 90s. But her wok ethic helped the transition go smoothly.

“It was not that hard, but more so different because I had to adjust to running the whole floor,” she said. “Which made me fall more in love with the game and I was able to identify my game with the men.”

At Independence, Lennox and the Indians took off. She earned All-State honors in 1994 and 1995, and in ’95 helped lead the Indians to the best mark in program history.

After spending one year at Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kan., she played the next season at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas.

In her one season at Trinity Valley, Lennox led the Cardinals to the NJCAA National Championship, earning Tournament MVP honors.

Her basketball journey continued Louisiana Tech where she played for Hall of Fame head coach Leon Barmore. As a senior, Lennox earned Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year and Tournament MVP honors.

Being coached by Barmore had a far-reaching impact on Lennox.

“Playing with Coach Barmore was different, and we learned from each other,” she said. “He was one of those coaches that allowed you to be yourself. He was a coach that molded me and taught me things that not only helped my game but also helped me in life.”

Next, the WNBA came calling. Lennox was the No. 6 overall selection by Minnesota in the 2000 WNBA Draft. She was at the forefront of a new era for women’s sports. Her impact and the impact of others like her is a source of pride for Lennox.

“As a pioneer I believe I was part of setting the stage so these young ladies can play at a higher level,” Lennox said. “We were the crawl-before-you-walk group because we had to share with the NBA players. I am proud to see what the WNBA has become and proud to represent and be the shoulders that the current WNBA players stand on.”

Lennox played for seven teams in her 12 seasons in the league, finally finding a home with the Seattle Storm. Lennox was a key factor in helping Seattle to the 2004 WNBA title.

It’s one of her proudest moments.

“Everybody has dreams and goals,” she said. “I didn’t think it would happen in 2004 because I was on so many different teams in such a short time. Seattle was able to give me that stability and support I needed to call Seattle my home, therefore I was able to stay longer and make Seattle proud.”

Now she forever has a home in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.