KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (August 27, 2024) – Michelle Marciniak got her start in basketball with the Amateur Athletic Union and it took her all the way to the WNBA. This past weekend, her list of accolades grew as the former Tennessee Lady Vols guard was inducted into the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame.
 
Marciniak became a legend in Tennessee as the star point guard under Pat Summit’s Lady Vols. In 1996, the floor general from the Lady Vols led the team to their fourth NCAA National Championship. That year she was also named the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player.
 
“To think about dreaming of playing at Tennessee when I was in my backyard to life coming completely full circle and now I'm back in Knoxville. An honor such as the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame is just flat out special," Marciniak told Knox News.
 
After college, Marciniak began her professional playing career in the women’s American Basketball League where she was an all-star. In 2000, she would sign with the WNBA’s expansion team, the Portland Fire and immediately contribute to the team’s early success. She retired from playing in 2002 and moved to coaching before setting her sights on her next mission as an entrepreneur.
 
Before she was leading Tennessee to SEC titles and Final Four appearances, Michelle was hooping with the Philadelphia Belles in Middle Atlantic AAU basketball tournaments.

In 2023, Marciniak was inducted into the Middle Atlantic District Hall of Fame for her impactful achievements as an athlete, collegiate coach, and more importantly, for her charitable efforts. Her passion and dedication towards the game of basketball has been invaluable.