Duke Blue Devils women's basketball


The Duke Blue Devils women's basketball team is the college basketball program representing Duke University in the Atlantic Coast Conference of NCAA Division I.

Team history

In 1974, Duke hired Emma Jean Howard to teach physical education, and to serve as the head coach of the women's basketball and volleyball teams. Initially, women's basketball was played as a club sport. In the first season, 1974–75, the team played locally, finishing second in the state with a 6–7 record. The women's athletic department merged with the men's athletics in 1975, and the second year is considered as the first official season of the program as a varsity sport. Howard remained as the head coach for the next two years. In 1977, Howard remained as the volleyball coach, while Duke moved up to Division I and hired Debbie Leonard to be the head coach of the women's basketball program.

Duke in the WNBA

Many Duke Women's Basketball players have continued their basketball careers professionally through the WNBA and overseas. As of 2016, 10 former Blue Devils were represented on WNBA Teams. Among those Duke alums include, Mistie Bass, Alana Beard, Karima Christmas-Kelly, Monique Currie, Chelsea Gray, Lindsey Harding, Tricia Liston, Haley Peters, Jasmine Thomas, Krystal Thomas, and Elizabeth Williams.
The Minnesota Lynx were crowned WNBA champs in 2015 with Tricia Liston on the roster. In 2016, the Los Angeles Sparks won the WNBA championship with Alana Beard and Chelsea Gray on the roster.

Duke Women's Basketball Overseas

Duke Women's Basketball has 14 former players playing professionally overseas in the 2016–2017 season. The former Blue Devils playing overseas include, Alana Beard, Chante Black, Karima Christmas, Monique Currie, Chelsea Gray, Lindsey Harding, Haley Peters, Angela Salvadores, Kathleen Scheer, Shay Selby, Jasmine Thomas, Allison Vernerey, Chloe Wells, and Elizabeth Williams.

Year by year

Source:

NCAA Tournament results