WVU Libraries

By Olivia Howard, WVRHC Reference Assistant

Georgeann Wells, an iconic figure in West Virginia University women’s basketball, made history on December 21, 1984, when she became the first American woman to register a dunk in an official NCAA intercollegiate basketball game.

Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Wells played on her high school basketball team at Columbus Northland. She began her freshman year at WVU in 1982 and immediately made an impact on the basketball court. Standing at 6’7” and averaging 11.9 points per game, she showed promise as a skilled player. Yet, Wells had a personal goal that set her apart from her peers- she wanted to be the first woman to dunk in a regulation NCAA game. To achieve this, Wells dedicated herself to perfecting her dunking technique, working tirelessly with her coaches after each practice.

Playing against the University of Charleston at the Elkins Randolph County Armory, Wells received a pass from point guard Lisa Ribble, and with 11:18 remaining in the game, she dunked the ball into the basket. WVU went on to win the game 110–82, cementing Wells’s place in basketball history.

The accomplishment was widely recognized and covered by major media outlets such as The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, and USA Today. Wells’s dunk was so significant that the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame created a dedicated exhibit for her achievement. She was also honored at an NCAA luncheon in New York.

Beyond her iconic dunk, Wells’s career at WVU was filled with accomplishments. Over her four years at the university, she scored 1,484 points, grabbed 1,075 rebounds, and set an all-time school record with 436 blocked shots.

Wells was also recognized with several honors, including being named to the Third Team, All-American in 1985, Freshman All-American in 1983, and First Team, All-Atlantic 10 in 1985 and 1986.

After her college career, Wells continued to leave her mark on the basketball world. She toured with the Harlem Globetrotters, showcasing her skills on an international stage. She also became a coach, working professionally in Japan from 1986 to 1992, and later in Spain, Italy, and France from 1992 to 2003. Wells graduated from Huntington University in 2003 with a degree in elementary and physical education. Most recently, she has worked as a physical education teacher in a suburb of her hometown, Columbus, Ohio and was named an inaugural member of WVU’s Mountaineer Legends Society in 2017.

Her dunk, a moment that captured the imagination of fans and sports media alike, was a defining event in women’s basketball, and her legacy continues to inspire athletes today. Wells’ accomplishments are a testament to her incredible skill, resilience, and dedication to pushing the boundaries of what was possible for women in sports.

You can check out more images of WVU Women’s Basketball in the West Virginia & Regional History Center’s collection of WVU’s student yearbooks.