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On Tuesday, Ruth Riley announced on Twitter that she will be retiring after a 13-year career.
I am officially announcing my retirement after 13 years in the @WNBA I am so grateful for all this sport has given me http://t.co/QSDD5Hm2hy
— ruth riley (@ruthriley00) June 18, 2014
Riley, a center from Notre Dame, was the fifth pick in the 2001 WNBA Draft by the Miami Sol, where she played for two seasons. She would later on play for the Detroit Shock (2003-06); San Antonio Silver Stars (2007-11); Chicago Sky (2012); and Atlanta Dream (2013). She played in 387 games, averaging 6.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game.
During her WNBA career, Riley won two league championships, both with the Shock in 2003 and 2006. She was also the Finals MVP in 2003. Riley was also a member of the 2004 Team USA Basketball team which won the Gold Medal in Athens, and a 2005 WNBA All-Star.
Riley also wrote a column on the WNBA's website which I encourage you to check out. In the column, Riley announced that she will remain with the WNBA as an Ambassador for NBA/WNBA Cares, and will go back to school at Notre Dame in its Executive MBA program.