About
Biography
Francine Houston is a retired professional basketball player known for her impactful contributions to women's basketball in the United States. Born on April 15, 1990, in Chicago, Illinois, she gained prominence during her collegiate career at the University of California, Berkeley, where she led the Golden Bears in scoring and was a consensus All-American. Her exceptional performance at the collegiate level earned her a spot in the 2012 WNBA Draft, where she was selected as the 5th overall pick by the Atlanta Dream.
During her WNBA career, Houston played for several teams, including the Atlanta Dream and the Phoenix Mercury, where she established herself as a versatile forward known for her scoring ability and defensive prowess. Over an eight-year professional career, she was named to the All-WNBA Second Team twice and played in multiple All-Star games, cementing her status as one of the league's premier athletes. In addition to her domestic success, Houston represented the United States in international competitions, contributing to gold medal-winning teams at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.
After retiring from professional basketball in 2020, Houston transitioned into coaching and basketball mentorship, focusing on empowering young female athletes. Her commitment to the sport and efforts to promote women's basketball have left a lasting impact, inspiring future generations. As a role model and advocate for women in sports, Francine Houston's legacy continues to resonate within the basketball community.