Hustle Hall of Fame Inductee: Kim Knuth-Klaer

If you’ve been keeping up with the Hustle Hall of Fame over the last few weeks, you are aware of what’s happening. Fan voting has decided the first of two entrants for each MAC member to craft an inaugural Class of 2017 for the Hustle Hall of Fame. Next up to be inducted to the Hustle Hall of Fame is former member of the Toledo Rockets, Kim Knuth-Klaer

At the Hustle Hall of Fame, there’s been an ongoing conversation about whether or not the evaluation of a potential inductee should only be about what they did while in college under the banner of one of our Mid-American Conference member institutions. If that was the case, our next inductee would be at the top of the list.

Kim Knuth-Klaer is considered by most observers to be the greatest women's basketball player in UT history and perhaps the best ever in the Mid-American Conference. Knuth was a two-time MAC Player of the Year (1997-98 and 1998-99), a three-time first-team All-MAC selection and the MAC Tournament MVP in 1999. She was named honorable mention All-America by AP in 1998-99. Knuth was also named Academic All-America in 1997-98 and was a three-time Academic All-MAC selection.

She is Toledo's all-time leading scorer (2,509 points), and is eighth in rebounds (779) fourth in assists (484) and first in steals (368). She led the team in scoring as a sophomore (20.4), junior (22.0) and senior (25.4). Knuth, who is also the MAC's all-time leading scorer, played on NCAA Tournament teams in 1996, 1997 and 1999, and on the WNIT team in 1998.

You may not be all that familiar with women’s SHOOTYHOOPS in our little conference but that sort of accomplishment is absolutely staggering no matter the conference, sport, or gender.

Welcome to the Hustle Hall of Fame, Kim Knuth-Klaer!