She is one of Australia’s all-time basketball greats and now Opals star Michele Timms has become just the third Aussie to be honoured in the sport’s Hall of Fame – where she received a massive surprise from Hollywood icon Bill Murray.
Timms made 264 appearances for the Australian national team, winning a silver medal at the Sydney Olympics, and was named in the 1999 WNBA All-Stars team with the Phoenix Mercury. She is also a WNBL championship-winning coach.
The Melbourne-born point guard became just the third Australian to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on the weekend, joining champion coach Lindsay Gaze and Lauren Jackson.
Some of the biggest names to ever take to the hardwood were present at the gala presentation in Springfield, Massachusetts, including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
But it was one Hollywood star that gave Timms the biggest shock on the night, with Bill Murray walking up to her to shake her hand.
Not only did the star of hit films including Ghostbusters, Caddyshack and Space Jam know who Timms was, he had watched her play for the Phoenix and had glowing words for the Australian star.
‘Incredible being in the room with Jordan, Bird, Johnston, but the one who I was super excited about was getting a pic with Bill Murray – who told me he used to love watching me play and then went into a spiel about the way I played,’ a shocked Timms said.
Australian Opals legend Michele Timms (centre), with her daughter Kalsie and Hollywood star Bill Murray at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame induction night
Timms became just the third Australian to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Massachusetts
Bill Murray is a well known basketball fan and played himself in the Hollywood blockbuster Space Jam alongside Michael Jordan and the Looney Tunes cartoon characters
Murray is a well known basketball tragic, frequently attending games to support his son, Luke Murray, who is an assistant coach for the UConn Huskies college team.
He has been seen cheering for UConn during their NCAA Tournament games, despite originally being an Illinois Fighting Illini fan.
In the movie Space Jam, Bill Murray plays himself, appearing as a friend of Michael Jordan.
He assists the Tune Squad during the climactic basketball game by joining as a player, ultimately helping them secure victory against the Monstars.
Timms dedicated the award to everyone who inspired her basketball journey, her former teammates, the Opals and the Phoenix Mercury.
Timms played 264 games for the Australian Opals and won a silver medal at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney
Timms was a huge hit in the WNBA and her No.7 jersey has been retired by the Phoenix Mercury
But she made special mention of the late Betty Watson, the name on the medal for the best Australian women’s basketballer each year, for creating the platform for all Aussie women who wanted to hoop.
‘I’m Australian Opal’s basketballer #56 and this honour is dedicated to all those women who paved the way for me and so many others to wear the green and gold for our country,’ she said.
‘To Betty Watson, the godmother of Australian women’s basketball, Betty didn’t have any daughters but when the call came from FIBA in 1954 to start women’s basketball in Australia, she took up the challenge.
‘She fought bureaucracy and a male-dominated landscape to ensure an Australian team would compete at its first-ever World Championships in 1957.
‘To the eight brave women who took the five-month voyage by boat to compete at that World Championship, I am forever grateful for your courage and sacrifices.
‘That was to be the first chapter of Australian women’s basketball.’
Betty Watson was the godmother of Australian women’s basketball and her name is on the medal for the best women’s player in the country
Watson was the driving force behind the 1957 Australian Opals, the first Aussie women’s team to compete in an international tournament
Basketball fans were full of praise and support for Timms, who has been a huge part of establishing the Opals as a world force.
‘Honestly one of the best players to ever play the game. She interacted with her fans, especially the kids…thank you MT….you are one of the GOATs,’ one fan posted.
‘Congratulations Timmsy you have been the best role model for basketball, you so deserve this,’ added another.
‘Congratulations Timmsy. Epitomises the heart that Aussies want in our athletes. Speech was pitch perfect too in saying thanks to those that helped along the way,’ yet another posted.
