Mayor Michelle Wu and the Dixon family gather around the new sign and display a Medina Dixon Dream Team jersey. Seth Daniel photos

There was no shortage of honors that late female basketball phenom Medina Dixon brought to the table – including Division 1 NCAA championships, gold medals from international tournaments, and even a Bronze Olympic medal. However, no accolades existed in her home city of Boston, or her neighborhood of Mattapan, to denote the women’s basketball pioneer – who grew up on Wildwood Street with a large basketball family, playing at Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School, Old Dominion University and then professionally in Italy and Japan. Had there been a WNBA in her time, many believe she would have been the first star of that league.

The anonymity in her own backyard all changed Saturday morning at the Walker Playground (known as Norfolk Street Park) when the refurbished basketball courts were named for Medina Dixon – the very courts where she learned to play the game that took her to great heights and earned her the nickname ‘Ice.’

Dixon passed away from pancreatic cancer in the fall of 2021.

“This is the first outdoor basketball court to be dedicated to a woman in Boston,” noted Parks Commissioner Ryan Woods.

Said Mayor Michelle Wu, “I am deeply sorry to the family for your loss and wish we had more time together…This will ensure her legacy will always forever be here as a platform to let others build on as well.”

Hiroyo Dixon (Medina’s wife), Lisa Singleton, Jenean Dixon (Medina’s sister) and Diane Galloway.

Dixon’s brothers, Zach and Rob, gave remembrances from the family, noting that it was long overdue and probably a little late.

“Nothing against Boston, but I always ask why it took so long for her to be remembered,” said Zach. “She was in the Olympics, and she was a NCAA National Champion. What more could she have done? I do have to say though that we are grateful that we’re doing this now.”

Said Rob Dixon, “I don’t know how to explain it now, but Medina didn’t just affect Boston, or Massachusetts or NCAA Women’s basketball, but really she transformed women’s basketball across the county.”

The event was emceed by Alfreda Harris, who discovered Dixon on the Norfolk courts when a neighbor on Norfolk Street called her and told her about Dixon.

“I remember,” noted Harris, “my friend on Norfolk Street called and told me I needed to get down here soon because there was a girl who could really play, and she was tall, and talented and was beating up on all the boys. I didn’t believe her at first, but once I saw her, it was true.”

Other officials in attendance included Police Commissioner Michael Cox, and Councillors Brian Worrell, Ricardo Arroyo, Ruthzee Louijeune and Erin Murphy.

Zach Dixon said the family is grateful for the honor, but they all wish it could have come during Medina Dixon’s lifetime.

Rob Dixon recalled how his sister, Medina Dixon, would block shots into the fence when she played with the boys, and then taunt them as well. Rob and others in the audience recalled that she was a star on many male teams before concentrating only on girls’ basketball.

Siblings Jenean and Zach Dixon unveil the new sign at Walker Playground proclaiming the ‘Medina Dixon Basketball Courts.’

Former players from the Norfolk Park courts returned in large numbers to honor Medina Dixon, including Wallace Reid, Damon Mercer, Malcolm Wynn, Dwane Chandler, Tony Latson, Charles Blakley, Kim Greene, Darryl Hilliard, and Coach Dennis G. Wilson.

Parks Commissioner Ryan Woods noted it was the first outdoor court named after a woman in Boston.

Mayor Michelle Wu said she hopes the naming will bring about a legacy for Medina Dixon that, unfortunately, hasn’t existed in her hometown, but might now be an inspiration for female athletes in Mattapan and beyond.

A player for the Bay State Jaguars – one of the teams in the Medina Dixon Battle New England tournament - goes up for a layup on the Medina Dixon Courts on Saturday.

Alfreda Harris, Shawn Hood, and Charlie Titus.

Dorchester’s Al ‘Alski’ McClain – Medina’s cousin – chats prior to the ceremony. McClain puts together the Medina Dixon Battle New England tournaments.

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