LSU will unveil its first statue of a female student-athlete when former All-American basketball player Seimone Augustus receives such an honor at 12:45 p.m. Sunday in the plaza between the LSU gymnastics facility and the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
The No. 5 Tigers host Auburn in a SEC contest at 2 p.m.
“Words can’t express the gratitude I feel in my heart,” Augustus said in April when the school announced plans for her statue. “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.”
Augustus will be recognized on the floor of the PMAC at the end of the first quarter of the game with Auburn.
“Seimone Augustus is one of the greatest players in the history of our game. For everything she did for this school and this program, it would be appropriate for us to sellout the PMAC for Sunday’s game in recognition of her,” LSU coach Kim Mulkey said.
Augustus, LSU’s most decorated female student-athlete, will join three other Tiger greats – Bob Pettit, Shaquille O’Neil and Pete Maravich – with statues outside the Maravich Assembly Center.
“A Seimone Augustus statue is befitting for a student-athlete whose talents, accomplishments, and impact will forever stand the test of time,” LSU Director of Athletics Scott Woodward said. “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.
“Seimone was a singular talent who inspired basketball players across the world and helped transform LSU women’s basketball team into a national powerhouse. We are honored to recognize Seimone as one of the most iconic athletes to ever wear purple and gold.”
Augustus’ No. 33 jersey has hung from the rafters of the PMAC since Jan. 26, 2010, when she became the first LSU female student-athlete to have her jersey retired. She is one of only five Tigers to top the 2,000-point mark, and she ended her career with 2,702 points, the second-highest total in program history.
She’s also a former No. 1 pick of the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, where she won four WNBA titles, and also won three gold medals with the U.S. Olympic team.
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