The announcement was made today at a news conference in San Antonio, site of the Final Four. Rush attended the news conference along with several family members.

Rush's selection was first reported in this morning's Daily News.

"Being here with coaches and players, all of us as coaches know that we're good coaches when we have good players, and we're great coaches when we have great players," Rush said. "And I had some great players."

Joining Rush for the Sept. 4-6 induction weekend are:

* Hakeem Olajuwon, who led the University of Houston to three straight Final Fours and the Houston Rockets to back-to-back NBA titles;

* Patrick Ewing, who captured the 1984 NCAA title at Georgetown before capturing two Olympic gold medals and becoming an 11 time NBA All-Star;

* Adrian Dantley, an unstoppable offensive player at Notre Dame and in the NBA;

* Pat Riley, who has led two NBA teams to five NBA championships and played in the historic 1966 NCAA championship game for Kentucky against Texas Western;

* ESPN television broadcaster Dick Vitale;

* Detroit Pistons and Shock owner Bill Davidson.

Ewing, Olajuwon and Riley were elected in their first year of consideration for election into the Hall of Fame, while Dantley, Davidson, Rush and Vitale have been named finalists in prior years. This was the sixth time Rush was a finalist.

She was 149-15 in seven seasons coaching the Mighty Macs and took them to six straight AIAW Final Four appearances. She was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000.

Rush was the only finalist submitted this year by the women's screening committee.

To be elected, a finalist needs 18 of 24 votes from the Honors Committee for election. *