Breaking New Ground: Penny Toler and the First WNBA Basket

Hello Sports Bra Community! 🏀

Today, we’re thrilled to introduce our latest Legacy Patch, celebrating a momentous occasion in sports history, marked by the incredible Penny Toler of the Los Angeles Sparks.

On June 21, 1997, in the very first WNBA game held at the Great Western Forum, Penny Toler made history. Not just any history, but the kind that’s etched forever in the annals of sports. As a point guard for the Los Angeles Sparks, Toler scored the first basket in WNBA history, a side jumper against the New York Liberty. This moment was more than just a score; it was a groundbreaking step for women’s basketball, marking the league’s inaugural season with a remarkable feat. But Toler didn’t stop there; she also made the first free throw in WNBA history during that debut game, totaling 15 points, 4 assists, 1 rebound, and 1 steal.

Penny’s baskets were more than just points on a scoreboard. They were a symbol of progress, a signal of new opportunities, and a moment that inspired countless young girls and women to dream bigger. Her achievement represented the culmination of years of advocacy and effort to bring women's basketball to a professional stage. This was the beginning of a new era in women’s sports, one where dedication, skill, and passion found a new platform. 

As we honor Penny Toler withLegacy Patch 007, let’s remember the trail she blazed, inspiring future generations to aim high and break barriers. Her legacy reminds us that first steps, no matter how small they seem, can lead to giant leaps for womankind in sports.

In the spirit of legends,

The Sports Bra Crew 🌟