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RALEIGH – Clarkton native Sheila Ford Duncan will be inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame during the 60th annual Induction Celebration on Friday, May 10th at the Charlotte Convention Center beginning at 5 p.m.

Duncan during her playing days at UNC Asheville

Duncan will be honored along with 10 other inductees in the class of 2024. Other inductees include: Fayetteville and UConn basketball star Shea Ralph, CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz, Wake Forest star Randolph Childress, NCHSAA commissioner Que Tucker and Carolina Panthers star Steve Smith.

Duncan was named the 1984 NAIA National Player of the Year as she led UNC-Asheville to the NAIA national basketball championship. Duncan scored 41 points and snared 19 rebounds in the semifinals then racked up 26 points and 21 rebounds in the championship game to earn Most Valuable Player honors.

Sheila Ford Duncan (second from right) with her family earlier this year when her son, Roger (second from left) signed to play football at Union College.

Duncan was the first player in women’s collegiate history to score over 2,000 points (2,442) and grab more than 2,000 rebounds (2,200). She holds 18 UNCA records and was named first team All-America her senior year. Duncan played professional basketball in Spain and was inducted into the UNCA Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003 and had her jersey No. 54 retired by the school in 2020.

Duncan played for Coach Raymond Marlowe at Clarkton High School from 1977-80. The Blue Devils were 82-12 during her four seasons and reached the 1-A state championship game in 1979, losing to Belhaven.

A link to the NC Sports Hall of Fame press release with more information about the ceremony and the other honorees follows: