Annette Fletcher
Basketball
Class of 2024
On a crisp autumn Saturday in 2023, a room at the University of Alabama in Huntsville banquet hall buzzed with anticipation. The legendary Lennie Acuff, a multiple Hall of Fame coach, took to the lectern to honor an icon: Annette Fletcher. His words carried the weight of decades of basketball history: “If there had been a WNBA in Annette Fletcher's day, I have no doubt she’d have been in it.”
Fletcher’s basketball journey is a tale of exceptional talent meeting an era unprepared to fully showcase it. Playing in the pre-Title IX era, her dazzling skills were confined to the rec centers of North Huntsville, the courts of J.O. Johnson High School, and eventually UAH (University of Alabama in Huntsville). Yet, despite limited exposure, Fletcher’s name has become synonymous with excellence, her records standing as a testament to her unparalleled talent.
The UAH record books remain her enduring legacy. Fletcher owns the two highest-scoring games in UAH history and four of the top 10 individual scoring performances, including an astonishing 44-point game against Cumberland College. Reflecting on that historic night, Fletcher laughed, recounting how her teammates were ready with ice packs for her arm, eager to ensure her shooting hand was preserved for the next game. She held the career scoring record for an incredible 26 years and still owns records for most points and most field goals in a season.
Her dominance extended beyond offense. Fletcher remains second all-time in steals at UAH, with the top two single-season performances in that category. She was also a visionary passer. “I could look away and still pass the ball,” she said. But her advanced court vision sometimes led to frustration, as teammates weren’t always prepared for her no-look assists.
Annette Fletcher’s story is one of quiet brilliance. In a time when women’s basketball lacked the platforms it enjoys today, she left an indelible mark on the sport, earning respect from legends like Acuff and inspiring generations of players who followed. Decades later, her records and reputation stand tall, a testament to her incredible talent and passion for the game.
