Ann Meyers

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexFemale
Full nameAnn Elizabeth•Meyers (-Drysdale)
Used nameAnn•Meyers
Born26 March 1955 in San Diego, California (USA)
Measurements175 cm / 61 kg
AffiliationsUCLA Bruins, Los Angeles (USA)
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Ann Meyers made headlines when she became the first woman to sign an NBA contract. The team was the Indiana Pacers and Meyers went to training camp but failed to make the team cuts. Ann Meyers attended UCLA, as had her brother, Dave, who played for the men’s basketball team, and later played in the NBA. She was a four-time basketball all-American at UCLA and also played two years of volleyball and track. At a school known as the greatest basketball power ever, Ann Meyers scored more points in school history than any other player – male or female. In 1978 she won the Broderick Award both as the outstanding collegiate basketball player and the outstanding female athlete. Internationally, Meyers also had extensive experience. Besides the 1976 Olympics, she played on the 1975 Pan American Games (winning gold) and World Championships teams, 1977 Universiade team (winning silver), and the 1979 Pan American Games (winning silver) and World Championships teams (winning gold). She was also elected to carry the U.S. flag at the 1979 Pan-Am opening ceremonies. In 1979-80 Ann Meyers played with the New Jersey Gems of the Women’s Basketball League and was voted the league’s co-MVP.

Since the league folded she has worked as a color commentator for womens basketball on television. She has also served as a basketball executive with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. Meyers was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993, the first woman inducted. She was a charter member in 1999 of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, and was in the inaugural class of the FIBA Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007. Meyers was married in 1986 to former LA Dodgers pitching great Don Drysdale, who died rather young in 1993.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1976 Summer Olympics Basketball (Basketball) USA Ann Meyers
Basketball, Women (Olympic) United States 2 Silver

Special Notes