Niki Bracken Inducted into Cal Poly Pomona Hall of Fame
Niki’s proud parents and other family members were at Cal Poly Pomona, Hall of Fame ceremonies to help her celebrate this memorable day. The event was held in the Kellogg West Conference Center. Niki was inducted into the 2024 HOF along with CPP sports stars Larry Gordon, Joann Howard, and the Men’s Championship Cross Country Team.
Niki Bracken was a starter on Compton High School’s only undefeated women’s basketball team. A two-time All-American, Niki Bracken enjoyed a prolific career for the Broncos from 1986-1990. She closed her collegiate career in a select group of 35 NCAA Division II women to earn entry into the 2,000-point and 1,000-rebound club, with a conference-record 2,246 points to go along with 1,053 boards.
Some 33 years after playing for CPP, Bracken still ranks first in program history in games started (125), points scored (2,246 – CCAA Record), minutes played (4,045), field goals made (955 – CCAA record), field goals attempted (1,925), defensive rebounds (544), and all-around total (3,757). She also ranks in the Top 10 in CPP history in 12 other statistical categories while holding the single-season record in field goals made (265 in both 1988-89 and 1989-90), field goals attempted (562 in 1989-90), and defensive rebounds (205 in 1989-90). In addition, Bracken still holds the school record for most points scored in an NCAA Tournament game, having scored 44 in the regional final against Alaska Anchorage on March 12, 1988, sending CPP to the Elite Eight.
Bracken is decorated in personal accolades, including being a four-time All-CCAA honoree, 1989-90 CCAA Player of the Year, named four-time CCAA All-Tournament Team including three CCAA Tournament MVP’s, 1989-90 CCAA Female Athlete of the Year, a West Region All-Tournament team MVP, back-to-back WBCA All-American, two-time AWSF All-American, three-time NCAA Elite Eight All-Tournament Team, and was named to the DII Women’s Basketball 25th Anniversary Team.
“Being inducted into the [CPP] HOF is a great honor, especially for a timid girl who grew up in the city of Compton, playing basketball against the boys,” said Bracken. “I had no idea what it meant to be good at basketball. All I knew is that I wanted to get home from school each day and get my homework done so I could go outside to beat my uncle and other neighborhood boys.”
“Once I got the ‘basketball bug’,” continued Bracken, “I realized my skills and potential, and there was no stopping me. I arrived at CPP at the age of 15, a skinny, nervous teenager who was glad to have the opportunity to further my education by playing for Coach Darlene May at a championship school like CPP.”
Following her four-year career with the Broncos, Bracken spent a few years coaching locally, playing professionally in Taiwan and Israel, and making it to the final cut of tryouts for the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA on numerous occasions. Around this time, Bracken joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, where she would ultimately become a sworn peace officer in 1997. In 2018, Bracken was promoted to Lieutenant, working directly with facility captains as Operations Lieutenant and then Risk Management Lieutenant, which is now her current position. During 28 years of service, Bracken has been recognized in her profession numerous times for Rookie of the Year, several Captains and city official commendations, and several Chiefs.
Commendations.
