Born: 1973 (Hartford, Connecticut)
Biography:
Rebecca Rose Lobo-Rushin, born on October 6, 1973, is an American television basketball analyst and former women’s basketball player in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Standing at 6’4 tall, Lobo played primarily as a center throughout her career. She made a significant impact in the world of women’s basketball and is considered one of the pioneers of the sport.
Lobo’s journey began in Hartford, Connecticut, where she was born to RuthAnn and Dennis Joseph Lobo. Her father, of Cuban descent, served as a coach for basketball and track and field, while both her parents were teachers. Raised in Southwick, Massachusetts, Lobo attended Southwick-Tolland Regional High School, where she left a remarkable mark by becoming the state scoring record-holder with 2,740 points. This record stood for an impressive 18 years until it was surpassed.
More than 100 colleges sought to recruit Lobo, but it was the University of Connecticut that caught her attention. Proximity to home and the school’s commitment to academic excellence were deciding factors in her choice. Lobo’s decision proved to be the right one as she played a pivotal role in leading the Huskies to the 1995 National Championship. The team accomplished an undefeated 35-0 season, solidifying their place in women’s basketball history.
During her senior year, Lobo’s dominance on the court was undeniable. She was unanimously voted as the national player of the year, earning prestigious accolades such as the 1995 Naismith College Player of the Year award, the Wade Trophy, the AP Player of the Year award, the USBWA Player of the Year award, the Honda Sports Award for basketball, and the WBCA Player of the Year award. As a testament to her all-around excellence, she was also awarded the Honda-Broderick Cup for 1994-95, a recognition presented to the athlete most deserving of recognition as the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. Furthermore, Lobo was inducted into the inaugural class of the University of Connecticut women’s basketball Huskies of Honor recognition program.
Beyond her individual achievements, Lobo’s impact extended to the national stage. She was named to the USA U18 team in 1992, competing in Guanajuato in Mexico. Lobo’s love for the game propelled her to the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) in 1997, where she played until 2003. She represented the New York Liberty, Houston Comets, and Connecticut Sun during her professional career. Lobo’s contributions to women’s basketball were widely acknowledged, and she was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.
Lobo’s influence on society extends beyond her career as a player. After retiring from professional basketball, she became a prominent basketball analyst on television. Her insight and analysis have contributed to the growth and exposure of women’s basketball. Lobo’s contributions as a player, analyst, and ambassador for the sport have solidified her as a role model, inspiring young girls to achieve their dreams on and off the court.
In April 2017, Lobo was announced as one of the members of the 2017 class of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, an honor bestowed upon the greatest figures in basketball history. Her induction alongside Tracy McGrady and Muffet McGraw solidified her place in the sport’s pantheon of greats.
Rebecca Lobo’s journey reflects her unwavering dedication to the game of basketball and her commitment to being a positive influence on and off the court. Her accolades, leadership, and contributions to the women’s game make her a true pioneer and an inspiration to generations of female athletes.
Awards:
– 1995 Naismith College Player of the Year
– Wade Trophy
– AP Player of the Year
– USBWA Player of the Year
– Honda Sports Award for Basketball
– WBCA Player of the Year
– Honda-Broderick Cup for 1994-95
– Inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010
– Inducted into the University of Connecticut women’s basketball Huskies of Honor recognition program