Rebecca Lobo was a founding member of the newly created WNBA, which began play in 1997. She spent her first five seasons with the New York Liberty. In 2002, she was purchased by the Houston Comets and retired the following year.
Early Life, Family, and Education
The basketball commentator, Rebecca Lobo was born on October 6, 1973, in Hartford, Connecticut, United States. She is the beloved daughter of Dennis Lobo (Father) and RuthAnn Lobo (Mother).
Lobo’s parents were both teachers. Dennis coached basketball and track and field in addition to coaching her father.
She, too, has a brother and a sister. Her brother Jason attended Dartmouth College, while her sister Rachel attended Salem State College.
The public still does not have access to information on the Lobo siblings. Concerning her educational background, she attended Southwick Regional Public High School in Southwick, Massachusett
She attended the University of Connecticut after graduating from high school and began playing basketball.
College Career
She joined the college basketball squad after enrolling at the University of Connecticut. Similarly, she leads the Huskies to the National Championships in 1995 with an undefeated 35–0 record.
Throughout her undergraduate career, she received several notable honors for her outstanding performance in competitions.
The basketball player has also been picked for the USA U18 team.
Professional Career
The WNBA and Lobo’s professional careers both began in 1997. The newly founded New York Liberty signed the Olympic gold medallist.
The following year, Lobo helped Liberty reach the WNBA finals. However, they were defeated by the Houston Comets.
The Connecticut native was chosen to play in the first WNBA All-Star game in 1999. She was unable to participate in the game due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
The years that followed were filled with ups and downs for the mother of four. However, Lobo was one of the top players in the WNBA at the time.
Rebecca, on the other hand, was hampered by a horrible accident she sustained in 1999. As a result, the mother of four prematurely ended her playing career in 2003.
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Hall of Fame
In 2010, the 46-year-old was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Rebecca was honored not just for her efforts on the court, but also for her sacrifices off the court.
During the induction ceremony, Lobo’s college coach, Geno Auriemma, commented,
“No one in all the years that I’ve been there has had the impact on the court and off the court that Rebecca has had and has continued in the WNBA.”
The Connecticut native’s effect on the next generation of female basketball players is palpable.
Furthermore, her work as an ESPN reporter and analyst has helped to popularize the WNBA among young girls.
As a result, the number of female basketball players is constantly increasing year after year. And who knows, maybe one day it will be as popular as its male counterparts.
Awards and Accomplishments
- 1994—Kodak First-team All-America
- 1995—Honda-Broderick Cup
- 1995—NCAA Women’s Basketball Player of the Year
- 1995—Women’s Sports Foundation–Sportswoman of the Year
- 1995—Wade Trophy
- 1997—All WNBA Second team
- 1997—WNBA Eastern All-Star team
- 2010—Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame
- 2017—Basketball Hall of Fame
- 2019—UCONN jersey No. 50 retired
- Olympics Game, 1996 Atlanta (gold)
- 1992 U18 Guanajuato (bronze)
Jersey Retirement
Rebecca Lobo and fellow Hall of Famer Ray Allen were the first players to have their jerseys retired by the University of Connecticut.
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Lobo’s number 50 jersey was retired in December of 2018. We have quoted a comment made by Lobo during the ceremony:
“I spent four incredible years wearing the No. 50 on my UConn jersey and am honored and thrilled that it will have a permanent home in the rafters of Gampel Pavilion.
We all know that before long, there will be plenty of other UConn women’s jerseys hanging next to mine. I am forever grateful to Coach Auriemma and CD for the impact they had on my life and would like to pass along congratulations to Ray as well.”
Net Worth & Salary
The net worth of the former WNBA star is reported to be over $6 million. She amassed a fortune as a result of her basketball and television commentator careers.
Lobo earned $30,000 per year during her playing career. Rebecca also had a relationship with the clothing firm Lady Foot Locker.
On the contrary, the 46-year-old apparently makes a six-figure salary as a sports analyst for ESPN. The former Connecticut player earns far more after retirement than she did while playing.
Lobo has also made significant investments in real estate as the market has risen. Rebecca also has endorsement relationships with Carol Colton of Ronald Blue & Co., who is also her financial planner.
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Relationship status
Rebecca is happily married to Steve Rushin, another well-known American journalist. Steve was named National Sportswriter of the Year in 2005 and a four-time finalist for the National Magazine Award.
On April 12, 2003, the pair tied a knot at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Massachusetts.
In addition, the couple has three daughters, Siobhan Rushin, Maeve Rushin, and Rose Rushin, as well as one son, Thomas Rushin.
Quotes
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Femininity and sport can go together.
- I am being taken care of by a higher being than myself or my coaches, or my training staff.
- Petty things don’t bother me as much as they used to.
- Basketball is always a piece of my life, but never the centerpiece.
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There’s nothing masculine about being competitive. There’s nothing masculine about trying to be the best at everything you do, nor is there anything wrong with it. I don’t know why a female athlete has to defend her femininity because she chooses to play sports.
Social Media Presence
Instagram: 21.1k followers
Twitter: 13.6k followers
Body Measurements
Lobo is 48 years old and measures 6 feet 4 inches tall as of 2022. Rebecca is one of the tallest sports analysts, which should come as no surprise given her background as a former WNBA player.
The Connecticut native has a thin build, but her actual weight remains unclear.
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Quick Facts
- Name: Rebecca Rose Lobo-Rushin
- Age: 48 Years Old
- Birthplace: Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A
- Father Name: Dennis Lobo
- Mother Name: RuthAnn
- Siblings: Yes (2)
- Horoscope: Libra
- Height: 6’4 ″ (1.93 m)
- Profession: Former Basketball Player Basketball Analyst (Current)
- Net Worth: $6 million
- Marital Status: Married
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