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Notre Dame Women’s Basketball: The 4 Best Players of the McGraw Era

By Ben Belden

CHARLESTON, SC - NOVEMBER 09: Skylar Diggins #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Walmart Carrier Classic on the deck of the USS Yorktown on November 9, 2012 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
CHARLESTON, SC - NOVEMBER 09: Skylar Diggins #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Walmart Carrier Classic on the deck of the USS Yorktown on November 9, 2012 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame women's basketball
ATHENS – AUGUST 14: Ruth Riley #8 of the United States battles with Sally Farmer of New Zealand in the women’s basketball preliminary game on August 14, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the Indoor Arena of the Helliniko Olympic Complex in Athens, Greece. The USA defeated New Zealand 99-47. (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images) /

3. Ruth Riley

Like Ivey, Ruth Riley was an integral part of Notre Dame’s first National Championship. At 6-foot-5, Riley was a force in the middle for the Irish. During the championship season — Riley’s senior year — she averaged 18.7 points per game to lead the Irish. She did so on an efficient 63 percent from the field and 77 percent from the free throw line. She also averaged 7.7 rebounds per game and 3.1 blocks per game that season.

Riley was an absolute beast in the 2001 title game. In that game, Riley scored a game-high 28 points on 9-for-13 shooting and 10-for-14 from the charity stripe. She also grabbed 13 total rebounds (six of which came on the offensive end) and blocked seven shots. Truly, Riley was unstoppable on both ends of the court. Riley’s performance in that game is regarded as one of the best in championship game history. Her overall play also inspired the phrase “You can’t handle the Ruth.”

But Riley’s real heroics came in the game’s final minute. With under a minute to play, the Irish trailed Purdue 66-64. Riley scored to tie the game at 66 before the game’s final possession. Riley caught a lob in traffic and was fouled with 5.8 seconds left in the game. She drilled both free throws and Purdue’s final shot went awry, sending the Irish home winners.

For her career. Riley averaged 15.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game. She also was a career 63.2 percent shooter.

Riley went on to be selected 5th in that year’s WNBA Draft to the Miami Sol. In all, Riley played for 5 WNBA teams, while also making stops internationally in Spain, Poland, and Greece.