It’s never a bad time to share a story about Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt, especially from the last active WNBA player to have suited up for her at Tennessee.
Isabelle Harrison, who signed with the New York Liberty in February, played for the Lady Vols from 2011 to 2015. In a video posted on X by the Women’s Champions Classic — which Tennessee will play in December at Barclays Center, home of the Liberty — Harrison talked about a moment during her rehab from an ACL tear in 2015.
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Summitt wasn’t actively on staff, having resigned as coach after the 2011-12 season after she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. But she was still around, holding the title of women’s basketball head coach emeritus.
Harrison was part of the last freshman class to play under Summitt, who decided to pay her a visit at her dorm.
“Dogs are not allowed at dorms at all at Tennessee,” Harrison said. “Of course, Pat Summitt showed up with her dog, Sadie, and walked up to my room and checked on me while I was going through my rehab. Obviously at that time, she was dealing with dementia.
“For her to take the time out of her day to come and see me, how I was doing, is just a testament to who she is as a coach, as a mom, as a woman in general. She was the best.”
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Harrison was part of two SEC regular-season title teams and two SEC tournament title teams, including the one from Summitt’s final season. The Nashville native was a two-time All-SEC first-team selection and was the SEC Tournament MVP in 2014.
The Phoenix Mercury took Harrison as the No. 12 pick in the 2015 WNBA Draft, and her nine-year career has included stints with the San Antonio Stars, Dallas Wings and Chicago Sky.
Harrison is averaging 4.3 points and 2.9 rebounds in 10.1 minutes per game with the Liberty. In the past seven games, she is averaging 8.0 points on 60.5% shooting, 4.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 14.6 minutes.
Cora Hall is the University of Tennessee women’s athletics reporter for Knox News. Email: cora.hall@knoxnews.com; X: @corahalll; Bluesky: @corahall.bsky.social. Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks:knoxnews.com/subscribe
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Former Lady Vols star Isabelle Harrison shares favorite Pat Summitt memory
