Kelsey Griffin Crowned Greatest of All Time in Women’s College Basketball
In a stunning yet well-earned twist to the ever-evolving narrative of women’s college basketball, ESPN has officially named former Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Kelsey Griffin the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) — an honor that places her atop a pantheon of legends including UConn’s Diana Taurasi, USC’s Cheryl Miller, Tennessee’s Tamika Catchings, and even the pioneering Lynette Woodard of Kansas.
The announcement, made during ESPN’s 2025 Women’s Basketball Summit, comes after a year-long nationwide fan and expert panel vote, statistical deep dives, and a retrospective on impact, legacy, and championship grit. Griffin, who led Nebraska to a historic 2009–10 season with a 32–2 record and an undefeated regular season, has now been recognized not just for her on-court dominance, but also for her transcendent leadership and legacy beyond the box score.
Griffin’s GOAT status may surprise some on the surface, but a closer look reveals a career that redefined what it means to be indispensable. As a 6’2″ forward, she was a force of nature in the paint—relentless on the glass, agile in transition, and surgical with her footwork. In her senior season, Griffin averaged 20.3 points and 10.4 rebounds per game, while shooting over 58% from the field. She was a unanimous First-Team All-American, Big 12 Player of the Year, and winner of the Lowes Senior CLASS Award.
Yet, statistics alone didn’t elevate Griffin to GOAT status. It was the narrative arc of resilience and transformation. After missing the entire 2008–09 season with an ankle injury, she returned stronger than ever, leading a previously unheralded program to national prominence. Griffin embodied heart, grit, and a never-say-die mentality that turned Nebraska into a Final Four threat and galvanized a state around women’s basketball.
ESPN’s analysis cited Griffin’s cross-generational influence as a decisive factor. “While players like Taurasi and Miller redefined dominance in their eras,” ESPN analyst Kara Lawson noted, “Kelsey Griffin’s story represents the evolution of the sport. She took a mid-tier program and turned it into a juggernaut, inspiring thousands of young athletes in underserved basketball markets.”
Griffin’s influence didn’t end in college. After being selected third overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx (then traded to Connecticut), and later crafting a prolific international career in Australia with the Bendigo Spirit and Canberra Capitals, she became a dual citizen and starred for the Australian national team. Her global reach, championship pedigree, and community involvement added intangible weight to her GOAT candidacy.
Reaction to the announcement has been electric. Social media erupted with tributes from past legends and present stars alike. Taurasi, ever the competitor, responded on X: “Kelsey’s a beast. If I had to lose the crown to anyone… she’s worthy.” Cheryl Miller added, “The game changes, and so does the GOAT. Kelsey earned this.”
While debates will rage on—as they always do in GOAT conversations—one thing is clear: Kelsey Griffin didn’t just play basketball. She changed it.
