CHICAGO, Feb. 6, 2012 — Head Coach and General Manager Pokey Chatman announced today that the Chicago Sky have signed 6-5 center and Olympic Gold Medalist Ruth Riley, from the San Antonio Silver Stars.
Riley is a proven winner, with three WNBA Championship rings to show for it. Most recently she earned a title with the San Antonio Silver Stars in 2008 and earned two other titles with the Detroit Shock in 2006 and 2003. Riley was also named the 2003 WNBA finals MVP. Ruth has the experience and drive to get the Sky into the post season and beyond. In her 11-year WNBA career, Riley has led her team to the playoffs 10 times and has averaged 6.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.
"We are extremely excited to add a person and player of Ruth's caliber to our roster," said Head Coach Pokey Chatman. "She will bring so much to our team and the city of Chicago. Her ability to play the 5 and stretch the defense at the 4 compliments our post game very well."
Riley has spent the last five seasons with the Silver Stars and averaged 5.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game last season. She started all 34 games in the 2011 and led her team in blocked shots with 30 ( .88 per game ) . Her best game of the year came on August 20, against the Phoenix Mercury, where she scored 16 points and grabbed five rebounds.
"I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to play for the Sky and move back to the Midwest where I will be closer to my family," said Riley. "Chicago is a wonderful city, with deep history and undeniable passion for the game of basketball! I look forward to being reunited with Swin as we bring our championship experience from Detroit to help Chicago in their quest for the play-offs and a WNBA Championship! I have a lot of respect for Michael Alter and his commitment to not only bringing Chicago a WNBA team it can embrace and be proud of, but also for using the platform of sport to make a difference in the community!"
Originally selected fifth overall by the Miami Sol in the 2001 WNBA Draft, Ruth was a standout out at University of Notre Dame winning the 2001 National Championship and earning the 2001 Naismith Award. In 2003, the Detroit Shock acquired Riley in the dispersal draft after the Sol folded and she was then traded to San Antonio in exchange for center Katie Feenstra in 2007.
The Chicago Sky will open the 2012 WNBA season on the road against the Washington Mystics May 19, in Washington D.C., and open at home at Allstate Arena May 25, against the 2011 WNBA MVP and Stevenson High School alum Tamika Catchings and the Indiana Fever at 7:30p.m. For information on the Chicago Sky's upcoming season visit www.chicagosky.net .
About the Chicago Sky
The Chicago Sky, one of six independently owned WNBA teams, will enter its seventh season as a member of the WNBA's Eastern Conference. The Sky play May through September at Allstate Arena and open the 2012 season on May 19th in Washington D.C. against the Washington Mystics. For information on 2012 ticket packages to see the Sky play, call 866.SKY.WNBA or visit www.chicagosky.net .
