Seven Legends Set to Join Delaware Basketball Hall of Fame

February 5, 2025

Legends of the Court: Delaware Basketball Hall of Fame Welcomes Seven New Inductees

Delaware’s basketball greats are getting their due. The Delaware Basketball Hall of Fame is set to welcome its 17th class, featuring five star players, a championship coach, and a long-time referee. The induction ceremony and luncheon will take place on Saturday, February 8, at the Embassy Suites in Newark.

Adding to the celebration, the Hall of Fame will also honor Walt Hazzard, the first Delaware native to achieve All-American status, win an Olympic gold medal, and earn NBA All-Star recognition.

Class of 2024 Inductees:

• Jawan Carter – Delaware’s all-time high school scoring leader at Tatnall, standout guard at the University of Delaware, and international pro.

• Chelsea Davis – Former Delaware Player of the Year, a force at Florida State, and a European league veteran.

• Helen Doherty – A multisport phenom from Ursuline, a trailblazer in women’s professional basketball, and a four-time World Basketball Tournament champion.

• Rex Gardecki – A high school All-American from Salesianum, collegiate standout, and key player in the pre-NBA professional circuit.

• Rob Turner (Dutch Mufasia) – A Wilmington High standout who took his talents to Indiana University and later played professionally in Brazil.

• Ron Abrams – A respected official with over 45 years of experience at every level of the game.

• Lou DiMascio – A championship-winning coach at Ursuline and a dominant presence in Delaware high school basketball.

Meet the Inductees

Jawan Carter

A two-time first-team All-State selection, Carter led Tatnall to a state title in 2006, setting Delaware’s all-time boys’ scoring record with 2,464 points. After starting his college career at St. Joseph’s, he transferred to Delaware, where he racked up 1,784 career points and led the CAA in three-point shooting. His pro career took him across Turkey, Poland, Sweden, France, and Lithuania.

Chelsea Davis

A three-time first-team All-State selection, Davis was named Delaware Player of the Year in 2009, finishing her high school career with 1,912 points. She made an impact at Florida State, scoring 1,019 career points and helping the Seminoles crack the top 25 rankings. She later took her talents overseas, playing four seasons in Spain’s top league.

Helen Doherty

Before Title IX, Doherty was already making waves in women’s basketball. She starred for the Philadelphia Aces, helping them win four World Tournament titles from 1962-1966. She also left her mark at Ursuline as a coach from 1955-1971 and was a dominant athlete in both softball and the pentathlon.

Rex Gardecki

One of Delaware’s earliest basketball stars, Gardecki was an All-American in high school and later starred at PMC, where he nearly led an upset of Final Four-bound Villanova in 1939. After serving in the military, he played professionally for the Dayton Acme Aviators, who finished runner-up in the 1945 World Professional Basketball Championship—a tournament that predated the NBA.

Rob Turner (Dutch Mufasia)

Turner’s path took him from Wilmington High—where he led his team to a 22-5 record—to Indiana University, where he made a name for himself with a 25-point outburst against Kentucky. After college, he played professionally in Brazil before embracing a new identity as Dutch Mufasia.

Lou DiMascio

A coaching legend, DiMascio led Ursuline to two state titles while amassing an 84-11 record from 1984-87. He later guided Delcastle to a 1996 state semifinal appearance and even coached a Special Olympics team to a 2001 championship. His own playing days at Salesianum were just as impressive—he was a two-sport star who batted .400 and pitched a 6-1 record in baseball.

Ron Abrams

A fixture in Delaware basketball since 1978, Abrams has officiated at every level, including seven Delaware state championship games. A dedicated mentor, he has trained new officials and continues to referee high school and youth games.

Walt Hazzard: Delaware’s First NBA Star

While Walt Hazzard made his name in Philadelphia, his basketball roots trace back to Wilmington, where he grew up before his father’s pastoral work took the family to Pennsylvania. At Overbrook High, he captained a city championship team, setting the stage for an illustrious career at UCLA, where he won the 1964 NCAA title and was named Final Four Most Outstanding Player.

Hazzard then took his talents to the NBA, where he was an All-Star in 1968 and played alongside Jerry West on a Lakers squad that reached Game 7 of the 1966 Finals. Over a 10-year pro career, he notched 9,087 points while suiting up for the Lakers, Hawks, SuperSonics, Braves, and Warriors. After retiring, he returned to UCLA, coaching the Bruins to a 77-47 record over four seasons.

Get Your Tickets

Be part of Delaware basketball history! Tickets for the February 8 induction luncheon at the Embassy Suites in Newark are $50 and can be purchased at https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/debbhof/DEBBHOF2024.