Sun Devil WBB to Honor No. 32 Jersey of Hall of Famer Kym Hampton on Dec. 6

TEMPE, Ariz. – Kym Hampton, a member of the Sun Devil Sports Hall of Fame who was ASU’s first All-American in women’s basketball and who went on to star professionally – both internationally and in the WNBA – will have her No. 32 jersey honored and displayed from the rafters of Wells Fargo Arena on Sat., Dec. 6 when the Sun Devils host SMU, Sun Devil head coach Charli Turner Thorne announced on Monday.

One of the most decorated players to ever wear a Sun Devil jersey, Hampton (1981-84) is ASU’s all-time career leader (men’s or women’s basketball) in scoring (2,361 points) and rebounds (1,415).

“Sun Devil women’s basketball has a tradition of excellence and without a doubt the first player to put the program on the map was Kym Hampton,” said Turner Thorne. “Her outstanding play was the catalyst for our first two Sweet 16 teams and she set an indelible standard for our program in terms of her all-around play – scoring, rebounding, defending. She did it all and did it at a high level.

“Her play has more than stood the test of time, especially when you consider that her scoring record came in an era when the 3-pointer did not exist in the college game. Even more impressive than that is the fact that her career scoring and rebounding totals exceed those of any other player in the history of both of ASU’s basketball programs.”

“It is a complete honor to have my jersey recognized,” said Hampton, who will also sing the national anthem prior to the game on Dec. 6. “May jersey number 32 inspire and motivate all Sun Devil student-athletes to be their individual best.”

Hampton was the first ASU women’s basketball player to earn all-America honors (1981-1982). In addition to the aforementioned career scoring and rebounding records, Hampton set several other records, many of which still stand today, including: most career blocks (178), most points (683) and rebounds (413) in a season and most points (44), rebounds (28) and field goals (19 - tied) in a single game.

Hampton’s play helped lead ASU to a four-year record of 76-34, including a pair of NCAA Sweet 16 appearances. She led ASU to its first postseason appearance in 1981 as the Sun Devils advanced to the championship game of the National Women’s Invitation Tournament. Hampton’s 23 points enabled ASU to upset top-seeded Tennessee Tech 85-76 in the opening round. The following season, Hampton scored 31 points to pace the Sun Devils as they defeated Georgia 97-77 in their first ever NCAA Tournament game, which was played in Tempe. In 1983, Hampton tallied a double-double against Utah to help lead the Sun Devils back to the Sweet 16.

Hampton concluded her remarkable Sun Devil career in being named the 1984 Sun Angel Athlete of the Year, an award which honored academic and athletic excellence.

Following her ASU career, Hampton took her talents to the international stage where she excelled for more than 12 years, helping her teams win four championships along the way. She reached the pinnacle of women’s professional basketball in 1997 when she was chosen by the New York Liberty in the first round of the WNBA Elite Draft. Hampton started every game during the franchise’s first three seasons, which included a pair of WNBA runner-up appearances. She averaged 9.3 points and 5.8 rebounds in her three years with the Liberty. She forever etched her spot in team history by scoring the franchise’s first ever basket in 1997.

Since retiring from professional basketball, Hampton has been involved in several endeavors including serving as a Fan Development Leader for the New York Liberty, being featured as a model for CoverGirl cosmetics and acting in both television and film roles.

Hampton will join Ryneldi Becenti as the only the Sun Devil women’s basketball players to have their jerseys hung from the rafters of Wells Fargo Arena.