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Michele Van Gorp

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Michele Van Gorp
NameMichele Van Gorp
Birth date11 October 1977
Birth placePella, Iowa
NationalityAmerican
Weight lb195
High schoolPella High School
CollegeDuke University (1995–1999)
Draft year1999
Draft pick25
Draft teamNew York Liberty
Career start1999
Career end2004
Career positionCenter
Career number44, 50
Years11999–2000
Team1New York Liberty
Years22001
Team2Portland Fire
Years32002–2003
Team3Minnesota Lynx
Years42004
Team4Connecticut Sun
Highlights* WNBA champion (2000) * NCAA champion (1999) * NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player (1999) * ACC Women's Basketball Player of the Year (1999) * First-team All-American – Kodak (1999)

Michele Van Gorp is a former professional basketball player and coach, best known for her collegiate success at Duke University and her career in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). A dominant center, she was instrumental in leading the Duke Blue Devils to the 1999 NCAA Championship and earned the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player award. Her professional career included winning a WNBA championship with the New York Liberty in 2000 and playing for several franchises before transitioning into coaching and athletic administration.

Early life and education

Born in Pella, Iowa, she was a multi-sport standout at Pella High School, excelling in basketball, volleyball, and track and field. She led her basketball team to an Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union state championship, garnering recognition as a Parade All-American and Miss Iowa Basketball. Her academic and athletic prowess attracted recruitment from numerous top-tier NCAA Division I programs, ultimately leading her to commit to Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

College career

Playing for coach Gail Goestenkors with the Duke Blue Devils, she developed into one of the nation's premier post players. As a senior, she averaged a double-double and was named the ACC Player of the Year, a Kodak First-team All-American, and a finalist for the Naismith College Player of the Year. Her crowning achievement came during the 1999 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament, where she was named the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player after leading Duke to victory over the Tennessee Lady Volunteers in the championship game.

Professional career

Selected 25th overall by the New York Liberty in the 1999 WNBA draft, she contributed to the team's run to the 2000 WNBA Finals, where they defeated the Houston Comets to win the championship. After a stint with the Portland Fire, she played for the Minnesota Lynx and concluded her WNBA career with the Connecticut Sun in 2004. Her professional journey also included playing internationally in Greece for Athinaikos A.S. and in South Korea for the KDB Life Winnus.

National team career

She represented the United States in international competition, earning a gold medal with the U.S. women's national team at the 1997 Summer Universiade in Sicily, Italy. She was also selected to participate in trials for the 1998 FIBA World Championship team, training alongside notable players like Lisa Leslie and Sheryl Swoopes under coach Nell Fortner.

Post-playing career

Following her retirement, she moved into coaching, beginning as a graduate assistant for the University of Kansas women's basketball program under coach Bonnie Henrickson. She later served as an assistant coach at Drake University and Wichita State University, contributing to player development and recruiting. Shifting to athletic administration, she held roles in academic support and student-athlete development at Iowa State University within the Big 12 Conference.

Personal life

She is the daughter of Marv Van Gorp, a longtime and successful Iowa high school basketball coach. She earned her degree in psychology from Duke University and later completed a master's degree in sport studies from the University of Kansas. An accomplished pianist, she has been involved in community outreach and mentoring programs throughout her post-basketball career.

Category:American women's basketball players Category:Duke Blue Devils women's basketball players Category:New York Liberty players Category:WNBA champions