Gracee Dishman, a current Junior, has recently been inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame for the 2021-2022 season. Her jersey will hang in the Ring of Honor for the next year. Kelly Mathis with the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame says, "Currently we have over 100 jerseys hanging in the Ring of Honor, including high school and college All-Americans from the 2020-21 season. With that having been the case since the Hall of Fame opened in 1999, you can imagine the caliber of players' jerseys that have once hung in our rafters. Without a doubt, Gracee Dishman is definitely a part of an elite group, and a part of history now too!" Gracee's accolades have beyond qualified her for this accomplishment.
Dishman is a former Cumberland County High School standout, where she won the TSSAA Class AA Miss Basketball award. She quickly asserted herself during her freshman season as one of the best players in the AAC. As the guard she was named to both the All-Conference 1st Team and All-Conference Freshman Team. She elevated her level of play this past season during her sophomore campaign and was named the AAC Player of the Year, becoming the first to earn the award in program history. She led the team in scoring after averaging 20.8 points per game, ranking her 7th in the nation. She was one of two in the NAIA to average at least 20 points while shooting over 55% from the field.
Dishman earned both AAC Player of the Year and First Team honors in her second season as a Lady Lion. She is the first player in program history to be named Player of the Year. The Crossville, TN product was the only player in the conference, and one of two in the NAIA, to average at least 20 points while shooting over 55% from the field. Her 86.8% from the free-throw line is ranked 2nd in the conference and 23rd in the nation. Not only was Dishman nationally ranked but she also was a part of the NAIA All-American Second Team.
We took the time to speak with Gracee on her accomplishments and how it feels to be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.
How does it feel to be inducted?
It almost feels like a dream honestly. I can remember standing in there as a little girl and just wanting to be one of those women. I can honestly say I am just humbled that my jersey is hanging in the hall of fame. I just kept pinching myself to make sure it was real. I can't even describe how I feel because it still feels like a dream. I'm just so humbled and blessed beyond measure.
Could you paint me a picture of who all has helped you get here?
Well first I would like to say that none of this would have been possible without my teammates not just in college but all of my teammates throughout my basketball career. I can honestly say God has blessed me with an amazing group of teammates in college and they have supported me through it all. They're the reason my jersey is hanging up there. Second, I would like to thank my family. They are my biggest support system and sacrificed so much for me to be able to accomplish all that I have and to be able to play this game. They have been my number #1 fans through the good and the bad. Thirdly, would be all the coaches that poured into me over the years. There are so many coaches that have helped me on and off the court and I can't thank them enough for that. All of the people that God placed in my life are the reason why I have accomplished all that I have. I can't describe how blessed I am.
What does this mean looking forward?
Looking forward, I'm not done yet and neither is my team. We're preparing for a national championship so that's looking forward. I would love for our National championship trophy to be sitting in the Bryan College Hall of fame.
What do you think the Lord has taught you in the process of getting to this point?
I think the Lord has taught me to always work hard and to stay humble when that hard work pays off. It's so easy to get caught up in the accolades and all that stuff but at the end of the day it's all glory to him. He has taught me patience and to persevere through the tough times. None of this would have been possible if it wasn't for the Lord.
We are beyond proud of Gracee and all her accomplishments. Her heart and character are a reflection of what it means to be a true Bryan Lion. Be on the lookout for her this season, as your Lady Lions look to be back in the Tyson Center.
Original source can be found here
Alerts Sign-up