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It’s not every day that your humble correspondent journeys to Chicago Sky practice. Not that there’s anything wrong with going there for access to the WNBA team’s players and coach. With the season set to start May 27 at Phoenix, it seemed reasonable to attend the waning moments of practice and conduct a few interviews after its conclusion.
Ruth Riley was inducted to the NCAA Academic All-American Hall of Fame in June 2012.
The first player I saw was Ruth Riley. The veteran center, who did not play in the Sky’s sole exhibition game May 15, looked like she was practicing for the Tour de France. There she was pedaling on a cycling machine, while her teammates were scrimmaging against a practice squad that consisted of male and female players.
Later while I was waiting, Riley had finished her cycling work and was sitting on the hardwood floor. Her right ankle was wrapped in ice. Leading me to believe she was an unlikely participant in the season opener against the Mercury. Little did I know then how likely. We exchanged pleasantries as she headed to the locker room and I went in pursuit of interviews with others.
Only much later in the day did I check email to find one from the Sky that annnounced the team had waived Riley. It was the second such surprise in about a week. A few days ago, aother Sky player from the 2012 season, Sonja Petrovic, had been waived.
The No. 5 overall pick in the 2001 draft, Riley led Notre Dame to the 2001 NCAA title. She was a 2004 Olympic gold medalist and won WNBA titles with the Detroit Shock in 2003 and 2006. She was named to the WNBA Eastern Conference all-star team in 2005. Last season she averaged 2.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and one assist per game. She also became the sixth player in league history to reach 500 career blocks.
Carolyn Swords remains a backup center to Sylvia Fowles. Other than that, the tallest player on the roster is 6-5 rookie Elena Delle Donne, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2013 draft.
Also new to the Sky this season are rookie forward Michelle Campbell from Rutgers and guards Allie Quigley and Sharnee Zell-Norman. Returning players are forwards Swin Cash and Tamera Young, and guards Epiphanny Prince, Shay Murphy and Courtney Vandersloot.
At 33, Riley may be nearing the end of her career, although something says she still can play in the WNBA. And not that I can claim any close personal relationship with her, I do believe as good as she has been as a basketball player, she is an even better person who will continue with worthwhile endeavors away from basketball (such as NothingButNets.org, which fights malaria in Africa).
If intelligence and dedication are any indicators of future success, Riley certainly seems on the proper path — whether on the court or off.
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