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Silver Stars acquire Ruth Riley in trade with Detroit

February 22, 2007 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
San Antonio Stars News Release


SAN ANTONIO, TX - The San Antonio Silver Stars acquired Olympic Gold Medalist and 2003 WNBA Finals MVP Ruth Riley from Detroit in exchange for center Katie Feenstra, the team announced today.

Under the trade agreement, Detroit would have the option to switch first round draft positions with San Antonio in 2008 if San Antonio draws the higher selection.

"We are so excited to have Ruth become a Silver Star," said San Antonio Head Coach and General Manager Dan Hughes. "She brings championship experience, leadership qualities and talent to this growing team. Unfortunately, to obtain a player of Ruth's quality, you have to give up quality. Katie Feenstra has been a real pleasure to watch develop in her first two years and we wish her well."

The Miami Sol selected the 6'5" center Riley out of Notre Dame with the fifth overall pick of the 2001 WNBA Draft. In 2003, the Detroit Shock acquired Riley from a dispersal draft after the Sol folded.

A 2005 WNBA all-star selection, Riley helped Detroit to two WNBA titles, most recently in 2006. She earned WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player honors following a 27-point performance against Los Angeles to help Detroit clinch the title. During the 2003 finals, Riley averaged 14.7 points, five rebounds, three assists and 3.33 blocks.

"I am extremely excited to come and play for San Antonio," said Riley. "I've had a great four years in Detroit. I'll take a lot of memories with me, but I'm looking forward to a new start, a new city and an equally great franchise."

Riley has been to the playoffs in all but one season of her six-year WNBA career, appearing in 26 post-season games. At Notre Dame, she was named the Associated Press Player of the Year and earned the Naismith Award while leading the Fighting Irish to the 2001 NCAA Championship. Riley tallied 28 points, 13 rebounds and seven blocks in Notre Dame's 68-66 win over Purdue in the National Championship game to earn Most Outstanding Player honors.

Riley ranks sixth all-time in the WNBA in career blocked shots average (1.53) and sixth in total blocks (293). She has averaged 8.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.52 blocks per game throughout her WNBA career.

Active in several community initiatives, Riley recently was named a spokesperson for Nothing But Nets, a global campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. She also spent several days this off-season in Nairobi, Kenya, taking part in the Healthy Women Healthy Economies East Africa Trip as part of the Global Business Coalition for HIV/AIDS.

San Antonio acquired Feenstra from Connecticut in 2005 in exchange for Margo Dydek after the Sun selected Feenstra with the eighth overall pick of the 2005 WNBA Draft. Feenstra finished second in Rookie of the Year voting in 2005 and was named to the league's first all-rookie team. During her two WNBA seasons, Feenstra averaged 8.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.03 blocks per game.

The Silver Stars open their 2007 season at Phoenix on May 19 before hosting Connecticut May 23 at the AT&T Center. Full season and partial ticket plans are available starting as low as $49. For more information on tickets, call 210.444.5090.

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