HOUSTON, TX – The Harris County – Houston Sports Authority and Sports Authority Foundation are excited to announce legendary women’s basketball coach Van Chancellor as the second member of the 2025 Houston Sports Hall of Fame class, joining Houston Oilers legend Kenny Houston.  

“I never thought this would happen, I thought you had to be way above where Van Chancellor was to get into the Houston Sports Hall of Fame.” said Chancellor after learning the news of his induction. “My two players, there are so many great people in the Hall of Fame. Roger, Clyde, Rudy, it’s just a great, great honor.” 

Following a successful run at the University of Mississippi, Chancellor was named the head coach of the Houston Comets in 1997. In his first year, Chancellor led the Comets to unprecedented achievement, setting the record for the highest winning percentage in the history of both the WNBA and the NBA. 

In all, Chancellor helped guide the Comets to 4 straight WNBA championships from 1997 to 2000, a record which still stands today. He won WNBA Coach of the Year three consecutive years, from 1997 to 1999, solidifying his place among the greatest basketball coaches of all time. 

“With Cynthia Cooper having been inducted in 2024 and Sheryl Swoopes in 2022, it only seems right that their coach joins them in the Houston Sports Hall of Fame,” said Daniel Gotera, Sr. Director of Communications for the HCHSA. “Van’s contributions to women’s basketball go far beyond the box score as his work with the Comets and other programs laid the foundation for generations to come.” 

In addition to his successful tenure with the Comets, Chancellor also helped bring gold back to the United States when he served as head coach of Team USA in multiple international tournaments including the 2004 Summer Olympics in Greece. He finished his tenure at USA Basketball with a perfect 38-0 record. 

A native of Louisville, Mississippi, Chancellor grew up playing basketball before joining the team at East Central Junior College in Decatur, Mississippi. Afterwards, he continued his education at the University of Mississippi, where he began coaching boys’ basketball at Noxapater High School, his senior year. 

Chancellor will be honored at a ceremony in January of 2025, alongside Kenny Houston and one other final member of the Class of 2025 which will be announced on September 24.