Paul Westhead, a former Cheltenham High School English teacher, Panthers boys’ basketball coach, and NBA/WNBA champion, will be inducted into the 2024 Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday, November 7 at the Event Center at Live! Hotel & Casino in South Philadelphia.

Westhead is the only basketball coach in history to win both an NBA and WNBA championship. In 1980, Westhead coached the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA title, and then 27 years later in 2007, he coached the Phoenix Mercury to the championship in the women’s professional league.

According to local historian Chuck Langerman, Westhead’s Panthers won 66 games between 1964-1968, including a 26-1 1968 season which saw a 63-56 overtime loss to Laurel Highlands in the PIAA 4A title game.

Westhead’s induction class includes Phillies’ legends Ryan Howard and Chase Utley. NBA legends Allen Iverson and Rasheed Wallace were previously inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame. The complete list of inductees can be found here.

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Photos: The Inquirer, Oregon.edu