Providence College Athletics
Doris Burke Among List Of 2026 Women's Basketball Hall Of Fame Inductees
10/30/2025 10:00:00 AM | General, Women's Basketball
Burke will be inducted as a contributor for her work at ESPN as an analyst for women’s basketball.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – It was announced on Thursday, Oct. 29 that Doris Burke '87, '92G, & '05Hon. will be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the organizations Class of 2026. Burke will be inducted as a contributor for her work at ESPN as an analyst for women's basketball.
Burke will be honored along with four players, including Elena Delle Donne (Delaware / Chicago Sky), Candace Parker (Tennessee / WNBA), Isabelle Fijalkowski (international player) and Amaya Valdemoro (international player), and two coaches, Cheryl Reeve (WNBA / Team USA) and Kim Muhl (Kirkwood Community College). Additionally, Barbara Kennedy-Dixon will be a posthumous Veteran honoree.
Burke made 87-consecutive starts for the Friar women's basketball team from 1984-87. Burke earned a long list of accolades on the court, including All-BIG EAST (1986, 1987) and KODAK District I All-American (1987). She ranks second all-time in assists at Providence (602) and 11th in career scoring (1,372 points).
Upon graduation, Burke began her journey in radio and television and is now one of the top NBA analysts for ESPN and ABC. She has covered basketball for ESPN since 1991 and made history in 2024 as the first woman to call the NBA Finals as a television analyst.
Burke, a member of the Providence College Athletic Hall of Fame, has earned a host of honors during her professional career as a broadcaster. Among many award recognitions, she was the recipient of the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award in 2012 and was honored as the Curt Gowdy Award winner as part of the Basketball Hall of Fame's enshrinement weekend in 2018. Most recently, Burke was inducted into the Rhode Island Radio and Television Hall of Fame in September.
The Tennessee Theatre will host the induction ceremony on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Each Inductee is awarded the Berenson Trophy, sponsored by Smith College, and named in honor of notable Smith College coach Senda Berenson, who is recognized as the "Mother of Women's Basketball." Each Inductee will also be presented with a WBHOF Ring, presented by Baron Championship Rings.
The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame's mission is to honor the sport's history, celebrate current achievements, and promote future advancements in the game of women's basketball.
- GO FRIARS! -
Burke will be honored along with four players, including Elena Delle Donne (Delaware / Chicago Sky), Candace Parker (Tennessee / WNBA), Isabelle Fijalkowski (international player) and Amaya Valdemoro (international player), and two coaches, Cheryl Reeve (WNBA / Team USA) and Kim Muhl (Kirkwood Community College). Additionally, Barbara Kennedy-Dixon will be a posthumous Veteran honoree.
Burke made 87-consecutive starts for the Friar women's basketball team from 1984-87. Burke earned a long list of accolades on the court, including All-BIG EAST (1986, 1987) and KODAK District I All-American (1987). She ranks second all-time in assists at Providence (602) and 11th in career scoring (1,372 points).
Upon graduation, Burke began her journey in radio and television and is now one of the top NBA analysts for ESPN and ABC. She has covered basketball for ESPN since 1991 and made history in 2024 as the first woman to call the NBA Finals as a television analyst.
Burke, a member of the Providence College Athletic Hall of Fame, has earned a host of honors during her professional career as a broadcaster. Among many award recognitions, she was the recipient of the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award in 2012 and was honored as the Curt Gowdy Award winner as part of the Basketball Hall of Fame's enshrinement weekend in 2018. Most recently, Burke was inducted into the Rhode Island Radio and Television Hall of Fame in September.
The Tennessee Theatre will host the induction ceremony on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Each Inductee is awarded the Berenson Trophy, sponsored by Smith College, and named in honor of notable Smith College coach Senda Berenson, who is recognized as the "Mother of Women's Basketball." Each Inductee will also be presented with a WBHOF Ring, presented by Baron Championship Rings.
The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame's mission is to honor the sport's history, celebrate current achievements, and promote future advancements in the game of women's basketball.
- GO FRIARS! -
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