Sports

North Carolina's Hatchell savoring spot in next class of Naismith hall of fame inductees

Associated Press
Published | Updated

North Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell looks on during the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class announcement, Monday, April 8, 2013, in Atlanta, Georgia. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) (The Associated Press)

Members of the 2013 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class line up for a photo after inductee announcements, Monday, April 8, 2013, in Atlanta, Georgia. Shown standing behind Jerry Tarkanian from left are Edwin and Nikki Henderson representing Dr. E.B. Henderson, Richard Guerin, Russ Granik, Sylvia Hatchell, Bernard King, Gary Payton, Rick Pitino, Dawn Staley, and CBS announcer Jim Nantz representing Guy Lewis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) (The Associated Press)

North Carolina women's basketball coach Sylvia Hatchell says being picked to join the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame is like a dream, so much so that she says she's wondering when she's going to wake up.

Hatchell will be part of a class that includes Louisville men's coach Rick Pitino and former UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian. That group will be inducted to the Naismith hall in Springfield, Mass., on Sept. 8.

For the 61-year-old coach, it's the latest achievement in a career that includes 908 career victories, eight Atlantic Coast Conference tournament titles, three Final Fours and the 1994 NCAA title.

Hatchell says being picked for the Naismith hall "is probably the next best thing to being in heaven."