Timeline of women's basketball

1881–1890

1885

Contents

• 18811890
• 18911900
• 19011910
• 19111920
• 19211930
• 19311940
• 19411950
• 19511960
• 19611970
• 19711980
• 19811990
• 19912000
• 20012010
• 20112020
• References

Formation of the Association for the Advancement of Physical Education

1891–1900

1891

James Naismith, born in Almonte, Ontario, invents basketball while teaching at a school now known as Springfield College

1892

Senda Berenson reads about Dr. Naismith's new game, and with modified rules, introduces the game to Smith College students.

First inter-institutional game between the University of California, Berkeley and Miss Head's School.

1893

Clara Gregory Baer introduces basket-ball (as it was written at the time) to Sophie Newcomb College (now part of Tulane University)

1894

RULE Change—Dribbling and guarding another player prohibited

1895

Clara Gregory Baer writes the first book of rules for women's basketball.

The first public women's basketball game in the South is played at a men's only club, the Southern Athletic Club.

1896

First intercollegiate contest between the University of California, Berkeley and Stanford was held on April 4, 1896. Stanford won, 2–1.(Grundy, p. 19)(Miller, p. 29)

1897

First recorded women's basketball game in Australia, played in Victoria, using wet paper bags for baskets.

First women's high school game between Austin High and Oak Park. Won by Austin 16–4.

1899

Senda Berenson publishes the first issue of Basketball Guide for Women, which she would edit and update for eighteen years. These rules, with minor modifications, would remain in use until the 1960s.

Stanford abolishes intercollegiate competition of women. (The players formed an independent club team).(Grundy, p. 21)

1901–1910

1904

Stanford rescinds the prohibition against intercollegiate competition of women.(Grundy, p. 21)

1906

Women's basketball featured on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post

1911–1920

1913

RULE Change—A single dribble is permitted as long as it bounces knee-high

1914

RULE Change—Half-court play is allowed.

1915

The Edmonton Grads, then known as the Commercial High School basketball team, won the Intercollegiate Basketball League. They would go on to play as the Grads, with a record of 502–20 between 1915 and 1940.(Hall, p. x,263) James Naismith would go on to refer to them as "the finest basketball team that ever stepped out on a floor". (Hall, p. x)

1916

RULE Change—Coaching from sidelines prohibited during game, except for halftime

1918

RULE Change—The bottom of the basket is removed. Substitutes allowed for first time (but cannot re-enter game). The bounce pass is allowed

1921–1930

1926

The Amateur Athletic Union sponsored the first-ever American national women's basketball championship.

1927

RULE Change—Players must wear a number on the back

1931–1940

1932

RULE Change—guarding another player first allowed(Miller, p. 30)

FIBA, the International Basketball Federation, is formed in Geneva.

1936

RULE Change—first the first time a guard, called a "rover" was allowed to play the entire court

The All American Red Heads Team a barnstorming professional team was formed. They would go on to tour the country for 50 years, playing men's team using men's rules.(Miller, p. 31)(Grundy, pp. 104–105)

1938

RULE Change—The court is now divided into two sections, rather than three. Team size remains six players each.

1941–1950

1947

RULE Change—Players must wear a number on the front and the back

1949

Hazel Walker became the first woman to own a professional basketball team, the Arkansas Travelers.

RULE Change—Players now allowed a two-bounce dribble. (Continuous dribble used in experimental season, but not adopted)

1951–1960

1951

RULE Change—Coaching from sidelines during time outs permitted

1953

First FIBA World Championship for Women

1955

Missouri (Arledge) Morris—named an All-American, the first black AAU All-American

RULE Change—Three second rule implemented. Players in the offensive lane may not hold the ball for more than three seconds.

1957

FIBA World Championship for Women

1958

Wayland Baptist won 131 consecutive games, a streak that extends from 1954 to 1958.(Grundy, p. 97)(Miller, p. 31)

1959

FIBA World Championship for Women

1961–1970

1962

First women officials in AAU national tournament—Fran Koening and Carol Walter(Miller, p. 32)

RULE Change—Two "rovers" allowed (players permitted to run the entire court)

1964

FIBA World Championship for Women

1966

RULE Change—Continuous dribble allowed

1967

FIBA World Championship for Women

1968

RULE Change—Coaching from sidelines during game permitted

1969

Carol Eckman forms the first National Invitational Women's Intercollegiate Basketball Tournament(Miller, p. 32)

Nera White is named an AAU All-American for the 15th consecutive year.

West Chester (Pennsylvania) defeated Western Carolina 65-39 in the CIAW invitational tournament

1970

Cal State-Fullerton defeated West Chester 50-46 in the CIAW invitational tournament

1971–1980

1971

FIBA World Championship for Women

RULE Change—Full court, five player game instituted for first time for collegiate and AAU games

The Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women(AIAW) formed to govern collegiate women's athletics in the United States and to administer national championships. The transition from the CIAW to the AIAW covered a ten-month period starting on April 1971. (Su, p. 99)

Mississippi State College for Women defeated West Chester 57-55 in the CIAW invitational tournament

1972

Title IX signed into law June 23, 1972.(Grundy, pp. 140–144)

UBC Thunderbirds won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Immaculata (Pennsylvania) defeated West Chester 52-48 in the DGWS invitational tournament

1973

First (partial) scholarships offered to female students(Miller, p. 31)

UBC Thunderbirds won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Immaculata defeated Queens (New York) 59-52 in the AIAW invitational tournament

1974

First full scholarship offered. The recipient was Ann Meyers who attended UCLA (Grundy, p. 175)

UBC Thunderbirds won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Immaculata defeated Mississippi State College for Women 68-53 in the AIAW invitational tournament

1975

The first nationally televised game is played by Maryland and Immaculata. Some source report that Immaculata won 80–48, while others report 85–63.

First Kodak All-American team is named.

FIBA World Championship for Women

Laurentian Lady Vees won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Delta State (Mississippi) defeated Immaculata 90-81 in the AIAW large college invitational tournament

Phillips University (Oklahoma) won the AIAW Division II invitational tournament

1976

First Olympic competition for women

Laurentian Lady Vees won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Delta State defeated Immaculata 69-64 in the AIAW large college invitational tournament

Berry College (Georgia) won the AIAW Division II invitational tournament

1977

Parade Magazine names its first high school All-American team for girls' basketball. The first team includes future Women's Basketball Hall of Fame members Denise Curry, Cindy Noble and Lynette Woodard.

First Broderick Cup awarded to "the best athlete in each sport". The first recipient was Lusia Harris.

Laurentian Lady Vees won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Delta State defeated LSU 68-55 in the AIAW large college invitational tournament

Southeastern Louisiana won the AIAW Division II invitational tournament

1978

The Women's Professional Basketball League formed, the first professional women's basketball league in the United States. It lasted until 1981.(Porter 2006, p. 13)

First Wade Trophy awarded to the best women's basketball player in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I competition The first recipient was Carol Blazejowski.

Laurentian Lady Vees won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

UCLA defeated Maryland 90-74 in the AIAW large college invitational tournament

High Point (North Carolina) won the AIAW Division II invitational tournament

1979

FIBA World Championship for Women

Laurentian Lady Vees won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Old Dominion defeated Louisiana Tech 75-65 in the AIAW large college invitational tournament

South Carolina State won the AIAW Division II invitational tournament

1980

Olympic competition for women

Victoria Vikes won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) established, with responsibility for eight sports including basketball

Old Dominion defeated Tennessee 68-53 in the AIAW Division I invitational tournament

University of Dayton won the AIAW Division II invitational tournament

Worcester State College (Massachusetts) won the AIAW Division III invitational tournament

1981–1990

1981

The Women's Basketball Coaches Association(WBCA), an association of coaches of women's basketball teams at all levels, is formed.

Victoria Vikes won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Louisiana Tech defeated Tennessee 79-59 in the AIAW Division I invitational tournament

William Penn College (Iowa) won the AIAW Division II invitational tournament

Wisconsin–La Crosse won the AIAW Division III invitational tournament

Inaugural season of the Australian Women's National Basketball League

St Kilda Saints won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

1982

Louisiana Tech (35-1) won the first NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

Cal Poly Pomona (29-7) won the first NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Elizabethtown (26-1) won the first NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Victoria Vikes won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Rutgers defeated Texas 83-77 in the final AIAW Division I invitational tournament

Francis Marion College (South Carolina) won the AIAW Division II invitational tournament

Concordia College (Minnesota) won the AIAW Division III invitational tournament

St Kilda Saints won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

1983

USC (31-2) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

Virginia Union (27-2) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

North Central (Ill.) (26-6) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Bishop's Gaiters won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Nunawading Spectres won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

FIBA World Championship for Women

1984

RULE Change—The ball circumference for NCAA play is reduced by one inch (to 28.5–29 inches) compared to the ball used previously, and used by men. This size ball is also called size 6.

Olympic competition for women

West Virginia's Georgeann Wells became the first woman to register a dunk in an official NCAA intercollegiate basketball game.

USC (29-4) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

Central Missouri (27-5) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Rust (26-5) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Bishop's Gaiters won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Nunawading Spectres won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

1985

Lynette Woodard becomes the first woman to play for the Harlem Globetrotters.

Old Dominion (31-3) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

Cal Poly Pomona (26-7) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Scranton (31-1) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Victoria Vikes won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Coburg Cougars won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

1986

Texas (34-0) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament, completing the first undefeated season in NCAA Division I history.(Pennington, p. 318)

Cal Poly Pomona (30-3) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Salem State (29-1) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Toronto Varsity Blues won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Nunawading Spectres won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

RULE Change—The alternating possession arrow is first used, although a jump ball is still used at the beginning of the game, and the beginning of overtime. Coaches must stay within coaching box, and only the head coach may stand while the ball is live

FIBA World Championship for Women

1987

RULE Change—The three-point field goal is introduced for any field goal completed when shot beyond a line set at 19 feet, and 9 inches from the center of the basket.

Tennessee (28-6) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

New Haven (29-2) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Wisconsin–Stevens Point (27-2) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Victoria Vikes won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Nunawading Spectres won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

1988

Olympic competition for women

Louisiana Tech (32-2) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

Hampton (33-1) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Concordia-Moorhead (29-2) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Manitoba Bisons won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Nunawading Spectres won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

1989

Tennessee (35-2) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

Delta State (30-4) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Elizabethtown (29-2) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Calgary Dinos won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Nunawading Spectres won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

1990

Stanford (32-1) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

Delta State (32-1) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Hope (24-2) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Laurentian Lady Vees won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

North Adelaide Rockets won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

FIBA World Championship for Women

1991–2000

1991

Tennessee (30-5) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

North Dakota State (31-2) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

St. Thomas (MN) (29-2) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Laurentian Lady Vees won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Hobart Islanders won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

1992

Olympic competition for women

Stanford (30-3) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

Delta State (30-4) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Alma (24-3) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Victoria Vikes won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Perth Breakers won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

1993

Texas Tech (31-3) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

North Dakota State (30-2) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Central (IA) (24-5) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Winnipeg Wesmen won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Sydney Flames won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

The WBA (Women's Basketball Association) plays its first official game on its way to three seasons of Women's Professional Basketball.

1994

FIBA World Championship for Women

North Carolina (33-2) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

North Dakota State (27-5) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Capital (30-1) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Winnipeg Wesmen won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Adelaide Lightning won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

1995

Connecticut (35-0) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

North Dakota State (32-0) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Capital (33-0) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Winnipeg Wesmen won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Adelaide Lightning won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

1996

Olympic competition for women

Tennessee (32-4) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

North Dakota State (30-2) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Wisconsin-Oshkosh (31-0) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Manitoba Bisons won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Adelaide Lightning won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

The WNBA is founded, with eight initial teams. Sheryl Swoopes is the first player signed.

The American Basketball League (ABL) formed, a professional basketball league for women in the United States. It lasted two full seasons, and suspended operations in the third.

1997

Tennessee (29-10) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

North Dakota (28-4) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

NYU (29-1) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Manitoba Bisons won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Sydney Flames won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

First WNBA draft, with Tina Thompson as the first player selected. The first game is held on 21 June 1997, between the New York Liberty and the Los Angeles Sparks. The Liberty won 67–57.

The Houston Comets win the first WNBA Championship.

1998

Tennessee (39-0) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

North Dakota (31-1) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Washington (MO) (28-2) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Victoria Vikes won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Adelaide Lightning won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

FIBA World Championship for Women

The Houston Comets win the WNBA Championship.

1999

Purdue (34-1) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

North Dakota (31-1) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Washington (MO) (30-0) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Alberta Pandas won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Australian Institute of Sport won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

The Houston Comets win the WNBA Championship.

2000

Olympic competition for women

Connecticut (36-1) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

Northern Kentucky (32-2) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Washington (MO) (30-0) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Victoria Vikes won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Canberra Capitals won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

First outdoor college basketball game: Tennessee defeats Arizona 67–63

The Houston Comets win the WNBA Championship.

2001–2010

2001

Notre Dame (34-2) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

Cal Poly Pomona (27-3) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Washington (MO) (28-2) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Regina Cougars won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Sydney Panthers won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

The LA Sparks win the WNBA Championship.

2002

FIBA World Championship for Women

Connecticut (39-0) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

Cal Poly Pomona (28-4) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Wisconsin-Stevens Point (30–3) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Simon Fraser Clan won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Canberra Capitals won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

The first McDonald's All-American Game for girls is played at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The Los Angeles Sparks win the WNBA Championship.

2003

Connecticut (37-1) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

South Dakota State (32-3) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Trinity (Texas) (28-5) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Victoria Vikes won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Canberra Capitals won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

The Detroit Shock win the WNBA Championship.

2004

Olympic competition for women

Connecticut (31-4) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

California (PA) (35-1) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Wilmington (Ohio) (27-6) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

UBC Thunderbirds won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Dandenong Rangers won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

The Seattle Storm win the WNBA Championship.

2005

Baylor (33-3) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

Washburn (35-2) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Millikin (29-2) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Simon Fraser Clan won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Dandenong Rangers won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

The Sacramento Monarchs win the WNBA Championship.

2006

FIBA World Championship for Women

Maryland (34-4) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

Grand Valley State (33-3) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Hope (33-1) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

UBC Thunderbirds won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Canberra Capitals won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

The Detroit Shock win the WNBA Championship.

2007

Tennessee (34-3) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

Southern Connecticut State (34-2) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

DePauw (31-3) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Simon Fraser Clan won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Canberra Capitals won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

The Phoenix Mercury win the WNBA Championship.

2008

Olympic competition for women

Tennessee (36-2) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

Northern Kentucky (28-8) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Howard Payne (33-0) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

UBC Thunderbirds won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Adelaide Lightning won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

The Detroit Shock win the WNBA Championship.

2009

Connecticut (39-0) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

Minnesota State-Mankato (32-2) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

George Fox (32-0) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Simon Fraser Clan won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Canberra Capitals won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

The Phoenix Mercury win the WNBA Championship.

2010

FIBA World Championship for Women

Connecticut (39-0) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

Connecticut had their 89th consecutive victory, one more than the all-time NCAA men's wins record of 88 held by UCLA; the streak ended at 90 wins.

Emporia State (30-5) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Washington (MO) (29-2) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Simon Fraser Clan won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Canberra Capitals won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

The Seattle Storm won the WNBA Championship.

2011–2020

2011

Texas A&M (33-5) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

Clayton State (35-1) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Amherst (32-1) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Windsor Lancers won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Bulleen Boomers won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

The story of the first of three consecutive AIAW national championship by Immaculata is made into a movie, released in 2011: The Mighty Macs

The Minnesota Lynx win the WNBA Championship.

2012

Olympic competition for women

Baylor (40-0) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

Shaw (29-6) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

Illinois Wesleyan (28-5) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Windsor Lancers won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Bendigo Spirit won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

The Indiana Fever win the WNBA Championship.

First women's game played on an aircraft carrier.

2013

Connecticut (35–4) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

Ashland (38–1) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship

DePauw (35–0) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Windsor Lancers won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Bendigo Spirit won the Australian Women's National Basketball League Championship

Before the start of the 2013–14 season, the NCAA adopts the 10-second backcourt limit for the first time. Prior to this change, NCAA women's basketball was the only level of basketball in the world that did not have a backcourt possession time limit.

2014

FIBA World Championship for Women

This was the last event known as the "FIBA World Championship for Women". Shortly after the 2014 edition, the competition was renamed the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.

Connecticut (40–0) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

Bentley (35–0) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship.

Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham (33–0) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Windsor Lancers won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

On August 5, Becky Hammon, set to retire at the end of the 2014 WNBA season as a player with the San Antonio Stars, is hired as an assistant by the city's NBA team, the Spurs, effective with her retirement from play. Hammon is the first woman to be hired as a full-time coach in any of North America's four major professional leagues.

2015

Connecticut (38–1) won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament

California (PA) (32–4) won the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball Championship.

Thomas More (33–0) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship

Windsor Lancers won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball

Effective with the 2015–16 season, the NCAA changed women's basketball from 20-minute halves to 10-minute quarters.

Canada wins the Gold medal at the 2015 Pan American Games

The Minnesota Lynx win the 2015 WNBA finals

2016

Olympic competition for women

The University of Saskatchewan Huskies (18–2) won the Bronze Baby, awarded to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport winner in women's basketball.

With their eleventh championship win in 2016, the UConn Huskies (38–0) passed the UCLA Bruins men's team for most college basketball championships, and became the first Division 1 women's basketball team to win four straight national championships.

Breanna Stewart was named the AP Player Of The Year (making her the first female college basketball player to win that award three times)

Breanna Stewart was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four (making her the first person to be most outstanding player of the Final Four four times)

Lubbock Christian University (35–0) won the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship

Thomas More (33–0) won the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship