LSU basketball star Seimone Augustus to get statue at school

Apr 11, 2022, 10:29 PM | Updated: Apr 12, 2022, 10:31 am

FILE - Los Angeles Sparks guard Seimone Augustus (33) brings the ball up the court during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury, Saturday, July 25, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. LSU’s most decorated female student-athlete will become the first in school history to get her own statue. LSU announced Monday, April. 11, 2022, that women’s basketball legend Augustus’ statue will stand outside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center and join the likenesses of Pete Maravich, Bob Pettit and Shaquille O’Neal as former Tiger greats honored in such a way. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)

(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — LSU’s most decorated female student-athlete will become the first in school history to get her own statue, the school has announced.

Women’s basketball legend Seimone Augustus’ statue will stand outside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center and join the likenesses of Pete Maravich, Bob Pettit and Shaquille O’Neal as former Tiger greats honored in such a way, officials said Monday. Augustus’ No. 33 jersey has hung from the rafters of the center since Jan. 26, 2010, when she became the first LSU female student-athlete to have her jersey retired.

During her collegiate career, Augustus was one of the most lethal scorers in the history of women’s basketball. She is one of only five Tigers to top the 2,000-point mark, finishing her career with 2,702 points, the second-highest total in program history. In 391 regular-season WNBA games, Augustus scored more than 6,000 points and ranks among the league’s Top 10 all-time scorers.

“A Seimone Augustus statue is befitting for a student-athlete whose talents, accomplishments, and impact will forever stand the test of time,” LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward said in a news release. “Seimone came to LSU as one of the most heralded recruits in school history, and she left a legacy on our campus, our state, and the sport of basketball that will never fade.”

The Minnesota Lynx chose Augustus as the No. 1 pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft and she went on to help the franchise win four championships in her 15-year WNBA career. She was named WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2006 and MVP of the 2011 WNBA Finals. She was also an eight-time All-Star and won three gold medals as a member of the United States Olympic Team in 2008, 2012 and 2016.

“Seimone Augustus is one of the greatest players in the history of our game. She has been successful at every level of basketball and what she did for this program and this university deserves to be recognized. I am proud we are able to honor Seimone with a statue where our fans will forever be able to reflect on her impact and greatness,” LSU head women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey said.

Already cast, the statue will be unveiled in the coming months.

“Words can’t express the gratitude I feel in my heart,” Augustus said of the recognition. “To leave a timeless legacy of inspiration for generations to follow is a lifelong goal, and with this announcement, I am humbly honored. Representing Louisiana has always been and always will be a driving force in my continued pursuit to greatness.”