McClain, Katrina (1965—)

American basketball player . Born on September 19, 1965, in Atlanta, Georgia; daughter of Edward McClain (an A.M.E. minister and former Baltimore Colts running back) and Sara McClain; graduated from the University of Georgia.

Two-time All-America selection as a basketball player at the University of Georgia; named National Player of the Year and Southeast Conference Player of the Year (1987); member of the U.S. women's Olympic basketball teams (1992 and 1996).

The daughter of Sara McClain and former Baltimore Colts running back Edward McClain, Katrina McClain was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 19, 1965, and grew up with her five sisters and two brothers in Charleston, North Carolina. Katrina quickly showed an aptitude for playing basketball and, at 6'2", became a star player with the University of Georgia. While a collegian, McClain was twice named to the All-America team, and she was recognized as the National Player of the Year and the Southeast Conference Player of the Year in 1987. In her senior year, McClain averaged 24.9 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.

Katrina McClain graduated from college at a time when there was no professional women's basketball league in the United States. She therefore started her professional career overseas, playing for Kyodo Petroleum in Japan from 1988 to 1991. She continued to play for professional leagues in Italy and Spain until the fledgling American Basketball League started up in 1996. Although the Atlanta Glory team drafted her that year, she opted for a more lucrative deal with a Turkish team, Istanbul's Galatasary club. After her year-long stint overseas, she returned to Atlanta to become a cornerstone of the Glory team, shooting 52.5% from the floor and averaging more than 14 points and 8 rebounds per game.

McClain twice represented the United States in the Olympic Games, playing on the 1992 team, which captured the bronze medal, and on the 1996 gold medal-winning squad. She is the all-time U.S. women's Olympic scoring leader, with 258 points and an average of more than 8 rebounds per game.

Grant Eldridge , freelance writer, Pontiac, Michigan