Ruth Riley

Ruth Riley, born on August twenty-eighth, nineteen seventy-nine, is a retired American professional basketball player renowned for her exceptional skills as a center. She made her mark in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) while playing most recently for the Atlanta Dream. A standout at Notre Dame, Riley led her team to victory in the NCAA women's championship in two thousand one, showcasing her talent early in her career.

Riley's professional achievements include winning the WNBA championship with the Detroit Shock in two thousand three and two thousand six. Her remarkable performance earned her the title of Most Valuable Player in both championship series, making her the first athlete to achieve this honor in both the NCAA and WNBA championships. Additionally, she has contributed to teams that secured the National Women's Basketball League (NWBL) championship, a gold medal at the Olympic Games, and the EuroCup Championship in two thousand ten.

Beyond her playing career, Riley has been an advocate for women's empowerment, participating in Mogul's IAmAMogul campaign in March two thousand sixteen. She served as the general manager for the San Antonio Stars from May two thousand sixteen until the team's relocation to Las Vegas in the two thousand seventeen-eighteen off-season. In two thousand twenty-two, she took on a new role as the Senior Director of Team Development with the Miami Heat, furthering her impact in the world of basketball.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the sport, Ruth Riley was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in two thousand nineteen, solidifying her legacy as one of the greats in women's basketball.