UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Lady Lion basketball great and 12-year WNBA veteran Tanisha Wright will give a gallery talk at noon on Thursday, Aug. 24, in the Penn State All-Sports Museum’s basketball gallery. Wright’s presentation is part of the museum’s Ellen Perry Speaker Series.
Wright was a four-year starter at Penn State from 2001-02 to 2004-05 who finished her eligibility as one of the most successful Lady Lions of all time. She won two Big Ten titles, reached three NCAA Sweet Sixteens, and one Elite Eight during her career. The 5-11 guard was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year an unprecedented three times while also picking up first-team All-Conference honors her junior and senior years. Wright also excelled in the classroom, earning a degree in elementary education, and was named to the Academic All-Big Ten team her junior and senior years.
Following her Penn State career, Wright was selected by the Seattle Storm with the 12th pick of the 2005 WNBA draft. Wright played for the Storm for 10 seasons, winning the WNBA championship in 2010, before signing with the New York Liberty in 2015.
During her talk, Wright will share what brought her to Penn State, her experiences as a Lady Lion, and her WNBA journey after leaving Happy Valley.
Gallery talks are held in the Penn State All-Sports Museum, located on the southwest corner of Beaver Stadium opposite the Bryce Jordan Center. A long canopy leading from Curtin Road marks the museum entrance. There is a small kiosk lot across the street from the museum for visitor parking, as well as in Lot 44 for those with an appropriate pass. All gallery talks are livestreamed on the museum’s Facebook page for those unable to attend. This event is free and open to the public.
The Penn State All-Sports Museum will host monthly gallery talks with a wide variety of coaches, alumni and scholars throughout 2017. The gallery talks are casual, and no registration is required. Below is a list of upcoming gallery talks. Dates are subject to change.
Tuesday, Sept. 12 — Coach Mary Kennedy Zierke; golf gallery
Friday, Oct. 20 — Ken Hickman; Field to Front: Nittany Lions at War exhibit