KC native is fourth KU women’s player to have jersey retired at Allen Fieldhouse

Adrian Mitchell-Newell, a Kansas City native who attended Central High, was honored Sunday as the fourth Kansas women’s basketball player to have her jersey retired at Allen Fieldhouse.

Mitchell-Newell, who is one of only two Jayhawks to post 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in her career, was recognized at halftime of the KU-Kansas State women’s game.

“I am truly excited to be back in this house and standing on this floor again,” Mitchell-Newell said during her acceptance speech. “I am so honored to receive this recognition, to be hanging up in the rafters with all these great athletes. But I am extremely proud to be hanging in the rafters with three other women All-American basketball players.”

Mitchell-Newell’s No. 21 jersey was placed beside those of Lynette Woodard, Angela Aycock and Tamecka Dixon at the south end of Allen Fieldhouse.

Mitchell-Newell ranks second all-time in KU history in scoring (2,124) and rebounds (1,288) while playing without a three-point line. A two-time all-Big Eight selection, the 5-foot-9 Mitchell-Newell was drafted into the Women’s Basketball League in 1979 and was an all-star for the St. Louis Streak in 1980.

KU and K-State also celebrated 50 years of women’s basketball on Sunday. The two programs played each other for the first time on Feb. 23, 1969.

This story was originally published January 29, 2018 at 8:28 PM with the headline "KC native is fourth KU women’s player to have jersey retired at Allen Fieldhouse."