The league may feel stuck with the CBA talks, but in New Mexico, attention has turned to a former NMSU star who left her mark long before today’s player equity battles.

Anita Maxwell (now, Anita Skipper) built her legacy when the WNBA was just starting, earning a spot in the league’s first draft before playing overseas and retiring from pro basketball. Now, years later, the program and the state will honor her for her lasting impact.

Fans and experts widely regard Anita Skipper as one of the best athletes to ever play for the Aggies. Called "arguably the greatest women's basketball player ever at NM State," she starred for the team from 1992 to 1996.

Skipper won Big West Player of the Year three times. She scored 2,601 career points. AM made 1,068 field goals at 56.4%. She averaged 21.9 points per game. Skipper had 337 steals and 1,189 rebounds.

Anita Skipper made history as the first Division I player, men or women, with 2,500 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 300 steals. She was a three-time honorable mention Kodak All-American. Also, she joined the NM State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002.

When asked about her decision to attend New Mexico State back in 2019, Skipper said, “I knew I wanted to sign early during my senior year of high school, so I planned three visits. My first was to Syracuse, New Mexico State was second, and then USC. I knew I wanted to attend New Mexico State after my visit, but I took my third just to be sure.”

At 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27, Skipper enters the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame at The Pit. She was the 29th pick in the 1997 WNBA Draft, played nine games for the Cleveland Rockers, then spent three years overseas. NM State has retired her No. 40 jersey.

But Basketball isn't the only place Anita excelled in!

Antia Skipper's Life Post Basketball

Post establishing her name in Basketball, Anita Skipper secured a degree in Bachelor of Arts in International Business and a Master of Arts in Urban Affairs with a Certificate in Nonprofit Management.

She then ventured to multiple jobs, starting with J.O.Y. Foods for administration, logistics, and sales. Next up, she volunteered for United Way, thanks to her inclination towards Public Advocacy.

Anita Skipper later served in NCAA Headquarters, and then went on to be recruited for the healthcare CO-OP started in South Carolina.

Back in January 2025, she was also working as the Chief Public Information Officer for her local county government.

Both on & off the court, Anita Skipper has established her dominance.

Written by

Ishika Ghosh

Edited by

Joyita Das