CLAFLIN -- Maybe it was more appropriate that a little rain Saturday forced the "Jackie Stiles Day" festivities from the football field to the Claflin High School gymnasium. After all, it was inside the gym where the Stiles legend grew, where she spent countless off-hours working on her jump shot and where she scored many of her Kansas state high school record 3,603 points.

More than 2,500 appreciative Jackie Stiles fans, young and old, honored the 22-year-old basketball standout who graduated from Claflin High School in 1997. She helped lead Southwest Missouri State University to the NCAA Women's Final Four four years later. Stiles was appreciative of the fans that attended the special day in her honor. "It feels great -- it means so much to me," said Stiles, who answered reporter's questions at a press conference. Later a parade took place on Main Street in Claflin.

"I wouldn't be here without them (the fans). I never thought I would be in this position. I keep having to pinch myself." Despite some nerves, Stiles also handled the press crunch, which included a reporter and photographer from the Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader. She also made a statement after the awards presentation. "I feel much more comfortable with a basketball in my hand than I do with a microphone," she said.

Stiles received several proclamations, resolutions and plaques from a dozen dignitaries, including Congressman Jerry Moran (R-Kan., first district) and former Alaska Governor and Secretary of the Interior Walter Hickel -- the "second most famous Claflin native next to Stiles" on this day.

A T-shirt bearing Stiles' likeness and signature also honored the athlete who scored 6,996 points during her high school and collegiate career -- 3,603 in high school and an NCAA Division I women's record 3,393 at SMS. The most prestigious honor received by Stiles was her induction into the Kansas State High School Activities Hall of Fame.

In addition to her high school and college basketball records, Stiles won a record 14 gold medals and two silvers at the state track meet. She also placed third three times at state cross country and placed in state tennis.

Stiles also handed out two awards. She honored the Claflin football team and coach Gregg Webb for posting a 51-1 record the last four seasons with three straight Class 2-1A state titles from 1997-99.

Claflin tennis coach Gary Bittner was also honored for being named the 2000 Boys Coach of the Year by the Kansas Tennis Coaches organization. He was the 1994 Girls Coach of the Year.

A specially-made wooden basketball, signed by Stiles, was auctioned off for $900 to raise money for the Jackie Stiles Scholarship Fund. A raffle was held and autographed photos were also auctioned off to benefit the fund. Stiles will more than likely be drafted among the first 3-5 picks in the first round of next Friday's WNBA Draft at the league's headquarters in Secaucus, N.J.

Her parents Pat and Pam will also be attending the draft. Stiles did not know which team would select her. She was a second-round draft pick by the Dodge City Legend men's team in the USBL on Wednesday.

She is the sixth woman to be drafted in league history. She was presented a No. 45 jersey by the Legend. "I hope some team will pick me (in the WNBA)," said Stiles with her trademark humility.

The remark drew laughter from the reporters as well as the fans in attendance. "There will be a transition period. I haven't made any plans for the future. I'm trying to finish school. My ultimate dream is to be an Olympian.

"I've been working out. I went to the Pre-Draft Camp in Chicago (April 5-7) and I got to talk to some of the coaches. I talked to Portland's coach. I care who picks me. I'll play for whoever will takes me. "I appreciate the support I've received.

I'm trying to get in shape for the WNBA and I'm trying to learn about the business side. It's going to be a tough adjustment." Burnett, who flew to Claflin from Springfield, Mo., along with other SMS officials, said "it was a privilege" to coach Stiles for four seasons. "An assistant coach watched her play in AAU Tournament as a sixth grader in Emporia," Burnett said.

"That's where the legend of Jackie Stiles started. She could have gone anywhere, but she picked what we call a multi-directional school -- Southwest Missouri State. "We lived a dream through Jackie Stiles. A little kid working hard every day now has been named the best collegiate women's basketball player in the United States. Jackie Stiles was also an academic All-American for a couple seasons.

"She's a legitimate All-American-type player in terms of humbleness. She greets you with respect. They found out that at Duke, Rutgers and Washington. We all feel blessed to live that dream with Jackie Stiles." Stiles' small-town roots will always be a part of her, said SMS vice president Greg Onstot.

Typical of her desire to please her fans, Stiles stayed after the ceremonies and signed autographs. "Everyone has a highlight," Onstot said. "There was 3-point shot against Wichita State, the game against Duke (32 points in the NCAA Tournament), the 4-point play against Baylor last year -- I can go on and one and on.

"She did the best she could for the team and the fans. Whether she was in Piscataway (N.J.) or Spokane (Wash.) or Des Moines (Drake), Claflin is always mentioned as her hometown. She will never say no. She's never changed from the little girl with the big dreams."

Moran admitted he usually has trouble trying to talk his daughters Alex, 13, and Kelsey, 10, to go with him on his travels through the state. He had no such trouble this time. Both are huge Stiles fans.

His parents, 85 and 83 years old, also attended the event. "Small-town Kansas is a way of life," Moran said. "We rally around our heroes." Hickel, who recently returned from a trip to Moscow, said it was an honor to finally meet Stiles.

The 1936 Claflin High School graduate added that people no longer have to ask him where Claflin is because of her. "Claflin was formed 100 years ago," Hickel said. "But Jackie you put it on the map."