Theresa Shank-Grentz
Inducted:
2022
Player Stats
Born:
March 24, 1952
Spangler, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Position:
Center
Coach
College: NA
Theresa Shank-Grentz is a trailblazer in women's basketball, celebrated for her exceptional contributions as both a player and a coach.
As a standout center at Immaculata College, she led the Mighty Macs to three consecutive AIAW National Championships (1972–1974), earning three first-team All-American honors and the 1974 National Player of the Year award.
Transitioning into coaching, Grentz became the first full-time head coach at Rutgers University, where she compiled a 434–150 record and secured the 1982 AIAW National Championship.
Grentz also contributed to USA Basketball, coaching the national team to a gold medal at the 1990 FIBA World Championships and a bronze at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022, she remains a revered figure in the sport.
Grentz's Awards and Records
- AIAW Division I (1982)
- 4× Atlantic 10 Tournament (1987–88, 1993–94)
- 8× Atlantic 10 regular season (1984, 1986–90, 1993–94)
- Big Ten regular season (1997)
- WBCA/Converse National Coach of the Year (1987)
- 4× Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year (1987–88, 1993–94)
- March of Dimes Coach of the Year (1991)
- Metropolitan Women's Basketball Association Coach of the Year (1993)
- 2× Big Ten Coach of the Year (1997–98)
- Carol Eckman Award (2007)
- Joe Lapchick Character Award (2013)
NBA Teams
As Player
Immaculata (1971-1974)
As Coach
Saint Joseph's 1974–1976
Rutgers 1976–1995
Illinois 1995–2007
Lafayette (assistant) 2014–2015
Lafayette 2015–2017
Career Stats
As Player
College:
Immaculata College (1970–1974)
Games Played:
82
Career Points:
Over 1,000
Rebounds:
1,000+
As Coach
Games Coached:
1,002
Wins:
493
Losses:
509
Win Percentage:
.492