The University of Michigan’s women’s basketball program is set to honor three of its all-time greats by hanging their jerseys in the Crisler Center rafters. This historic event marks the first time that women’s jerseys will be retired at this venue, a significant milestone for the program. The honored players are Diane Dietz, Katelynn Flaherty Yates, and Naz Hillmon, with ceremonies scheduled during the upcoming winter season.
The first jersey to be honored will be Dietz’s No. 21, which will be raised on January 11, 2024, during the game against Wisconsin. Dietz, who played for the Wolverines from 1978 to 1982, was the program’s inaugural 2,000-point scorer, a record that remained unbroken for over three decades. A versatile 5-foot-9 guard/forward from Orchard Lake, Michigan, Dietz was a four-year starter and is one of only two Michigan athletes inducted into the Academic All-America Hall of Fame. She also received the Big Ten Medal of Honor in 1982 and has served as the Big Ten’s deputy commissioner since 2014, except for two years.
Flaherty’s No. 3 jersey will follow on January 25, 2024, when Michigan faces USC. Flaherty stands out as the all-time leading scorer for Michigan, recording a remarkable 2,776 points during her career from 2014 to 2018. Known for her exceptional 3-point shooting, she played a pivotal role in ending Michigan’s five-year NCAA Tournament drought as a senior. Flaherty, a 5-foot-7 guard from Point Pleasant, New Jersey, earned All-Big Ten first-team honors three times.
The final jersey to be retired will belong to Hillmon, whose No. 00 will be honored on February 15, 2024, during a highly anticipated game against Michigan State. Hillmon made history as the program’s first All-American and is the only Wolverine, male or female, to achieve both 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. She ranks second in career points, first in rebounds, double-doubles, and made free throws. Arriving at Michigan in 2018, Hillmon helped propel the Wolverines to unprecedented heights, including their first Sweet 16 appearance and an Elite Eight run in consecutive seasons. She was named All-American in both her junior and senior years and is one of just two players in Big Ten history to win the league’s player of the year, freshman of the year, and sixth player of the year awards. Since being drafted by the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream in 2022, she has continued to excel in her athletic career.
The decision to retire these jerseys is a testament to the impact these athletes have had on the Michigan women’s basketball program and their lasting legacy within the sport. Through their achievements, Dietz, Flaherty, and Hillmon have paved the way for future generations of female athletes at Michigan and beyond.
