Which sentence states a fact?
Sheryl Swoopes was named to the Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2016 along with Shaquille O'Neal. Sheryl Swoopes was the best basketball player at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.
A fact is something that can be proved by research or observation.
Napoleon Bonaparte was shorter than King Louis XVI.
The statement above is a fact. The statement can be proved by researching the height of each man and comparing them.
An opinion is something that a person believes, thinks, or feels. An opinion cannot be proved.
Napoleon Bonaparte was a better leader than King Louis XVI.
The statement above is an opinion. People can have different ideas about what makes someone a "better" leader, so the statement cannot be proved.
The first sentence states a fact.
Sheryl Swoopes was named to the Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2016 along with Shaquille O'Neal.
It can be proved by consulting the Basketball Hall of Fame website.
The second sentence states an opinion.
Sheryl Swoopes was the best basketball player at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.
Best shows what a person believes, thinks, or feels. Another person might have a different opinion about what makes a person the best basketball player.