Sports broadcasting pioneer Debbie Antonelli to be named into NC State Ring of Honor

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – One of the most notable players to ever suit up for the North Carolina State Wolfpack will soon have her name hanging from the rafters.

Cary native and former women’s basketball standout Debbie Antonelli is set to be celebrated as the newest member of the N.C. State Ring of Honor on Jan. 16.

DALLAS, TX – MARCH 11: Basketball analyst and Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2022, Debbie Antonelli, celebrates after making a free throw for the “24 Hours of Nothing But Net Shoot-A-Thon” to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics during a break in an Athletes Unlimited women’s professional basketball game between Team Mitchell and Team Hillmon on March 11, 2023, at Fair Park Coliseum in Dallas, TX. Antonelli made the free throw to meet the goal of 2,400 made free throws in 24 hours. (Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

A banner will be raised in her honor at William Neal Reynolds Coliseum during halftime of the Wolfpack’s home game against Pittsburgh.

Antonelli, who started at N.C. State for three years under legendary head coach Kay Yow, helped lead the program to four NCAA Tournament appearances and two trips to the Sweet 16. She was also a member of the last Wolfpack team to sweep the ACC regular season and ACC Tournament titles in the 1984-85 season.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 09: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is interviewed by Debbie Antonelli and Beth Mowins after the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Spectrum Center on November 09, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

Since her days in Raleigh, Antonelli ventured into a prominent and trailblazing career in sports broadcasting. One of the most well-known female voices in college and pro women’s basketball for over three decades, she’s worked as an on-air color analyst for multiple TV networks, including Fox Sports, CBS Sports, the ACC Network and ESPN, among others.

Antonelli has won two Emmy Awards, one Gracie Award, as well as named an honoree of the WBCA Mel Greenberg Award. She was recently inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2021 and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022.