|
Riley, Ruth
- 2004 Olympic gold medalist
- 1999 World University Games silver medalist with Team USA
- Helped lead the Detroit Shock from the worst record in the WNBA in 2002 to the WNBA Championship in 2003 and was named MVP of the 2003 WNBA Finals
- Was a standout at Notre Dame where she helped lead the Fighting Irish to the 2001 NCAA National Championship and was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2001 Final Four
- Started playing basketball in the fourth grade
- Wears a headband during every game—a ritual she started while playing in high school
- Was a four-year letter winner in basketball, volleyball and track and field for North Miami High School
- Wrote children’s book “The Spirit of Basketball” that teaches the lesson that the language and spirit of the sport of basketball is the same all over the world
- Full name is Ruth Ellen Riley
- Has one older sister, Rachel Cattin, and one younger brother, Jacob Riley
- Lists her mother, Sharon Riley, as a major inspiration in her life
- Says a surprising fact about herself is that she grew up on a working farm
- Enjoys spending time with friends and family when she’s not reading about, watching or competing in sports
- Favorite movie is the 1987 classic, “Hoosiers” … TV show is “ER” … foods are salads and sushi
For Riley, basketball is a passion. However, she also has other goals for her life when her basketball career comes to a close. In 2001, she graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in psychology and has aspirations of pursuing a career in that same field once she hangs up her jersey.
Related Links
Official Web site: Ruth Riley
On winning the 2004 Olympic gold medal on her 25th birthday: “It was surely one of the most memorable presents I've ever received. As we stood there listening to our national anthem, watching our flag being raised and feeling the weight of the gold medal as it hung from our neck, it was a dream come true for me,” Riley said in her blog on NBA.com’s Blog Squad.
|
|
Height: 6’4
Born: 28-Aug-79
Hometown: Macey, Ind.
Sport: Basketball
Event: Women's Basketball
|
|
|
