Ruthie Bolton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ruthie Bolton

Bolton in 2017
Personal information
Born	(1967-05-25) May 25, 1967 (age 58) Lucedale, Mississippi, U.S.
High school	McLain (McLain, Mississippi)
Listed height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Listed weight	137 lb (62 kg)
Career information
College	Auburn (1985–1989)
NBA Draft	1997 / Allocated
Selected by the Sacramento Monarchs
Pro career	1990–2004
Career history
1992–1993	C.A. Fainzia
1993–1995	Erreti Faenza
1997–2004	Sacramento Monarchs
Career highlights and awards
2× WNBA All-Star (1999, 2001) All-WNBA First Team (1997) NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team (1988)
Medals Women's Basketball Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 1996 Atlanta Team competition Gold 2000 Sydney Team competition World University Games Gold 1991 Sheffield Team competition FIBA World Championship for Women Bronze 1994 Sydney Team competition Gold 1998 Berlin Team competition

Alice Ruth Bolton (born May 25, 1967), known as Ruthie Bolton, is an American former professional women's basketball player. She was born in Lucedale, Mississippi. Ruthie played basketball at college, in the Olympics, and as a professional.

She played in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) from 1997 to 2004. All her WNBA years were with the Sacramento Monarchs. Before that, she played college basketball at Auburn University with her older sister, Mae Ola Bolton. In 2011, she was added to the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Ruthie Bolton also served as a first lieutenant in the United States Army Reserves. She worked as a transportation officer.

Ruthie Bolton's Basketball Career

Ruthie Bolton started her professional basketball journey in Sweden. She played for the Visby Ladies during the 1990–91 season. The next year, she played in Hungary. She was the first American woman to play professional basketball there. From 1992 to 1993, she played in Italy for C.A. Fainzia. She scored about 26 points per game.

In 1994, Bolton continued playing in Italy for Erreti Faenza. She had great seasons there. She averaged 28 points and 7.1 rebounds in 1993–94. The next season, she averaged 25.5 points and 6.0 rebounds. After Italy, Bolton played in Turkey during the 1995–96 season.

Playing in the WNBA

On January 22, 1997, Ruthie Bolton was chosen by the Sacramento Monarchs. She was the 13th player picked in the first WNBA draft. Her first game was on June 21, 1997. The Monarchs won 73-61 against the Utah Starzz. In that game, she scored 16 points, got 11 rebounds, and had 6 steals. This made her the second player in WNBA history to get a "double-double" (scoring double digits in two different stats).

Bolton played for 8 years in the WNBA, all with the Monarchs. She was one of their most important players. In 1998, she played only 5 games because of a knee injury. But she recovered well and became an All-Star in 1999. She was also an All-Star in 2001. During her time with the Monarchs, the team made it to the playoffs 5 times. They reached the Western Conference Finals in 2001, 2003, and 2004.

Ruthie Bolton's last game was on October 5, 2004. It was Game 3 of the 2004 Western Conference Finals. The Monarchs lost to the Seattle Storm and were out of the playoffs. In her final game, Bolton scored 4 points and had 1 steal.

Leaving the Sacramento Monarchs

After the 2004 playoffs, Ruthie Bolton retired from the WNBA. She has shared that she felt sad to retire. She felt the Monarchs wanted to focus on younger players. The year after she left, the Monarchs won their first WNBA Championship in 2005. They beat the Connecticut Sun 3-1.

This was a very tough time for Bolton. She signed a contract to try out for the Monarchs again in 2005. But she did not make the team. The Monarchs told her they valued her loyalty but felt she could no longer play at that level. Her father also passed away in 2005. Losing her father and leaving the team made her feel very alone. She felt like a big part of her life had stopped.

She told Sky Sports that it felt like "rejection." She missed talking to her father, who was her support. She said, "Dealing with that at the time, and retiring from something I'd done for 25 years, it all came to a screeching halt." She had to be strong and pray. She felt the team had treated her unfairly. It was hard for her mind to stay healthy because she still worked for the team. She had to see them every day.

Playing for Team USA

Ruthie Bolton wearing a Team USA jersey in April 2006

Ruthie Bolton was chosen to play for the US team in the World University Games in July 1991. These games were held in Sheffield, England. The US team had won gold in 1983. But they had not done as well in later years. The team was coached by Tara VanDerveer. The US team won their first games easily. Then they played China in the medal round. The US team won 79–76 and moved to the gold medal game. There, they beat Spain 88–62 to win the gold medal. Bolton was the top scorer for the team, averaging 14 points per game.

In 1994, Bolton-Holifield joined the national team for the World Championships. These were held in Sydney, Australia. The team was coached by Tara VanDerveer. The US team won their early games. Then they played Brazil in the medal rounds. Even with Bolton-Holifield scoring 17 points, the US lost 110–107. Brazil made ten free throws in the last minute. The US team then beat Australia 100–95 to win the bronze medal.

Bolton continued to play for the national team in the 1996 Olympics. These games were in Atlanta, Georgia. Bolton scored 21 points in the game against Ukraine. She helped the team win all eight games. This earned the USA team a gold medal. Bolton averaged 12.8 points per game. She also led the team in steals with 23.

The national team went to Berlin, Germany in 1998 for the FIBA World Championships. The US team won a close first game against Japan, 95–89. Then they won their next six games easily. In the semifinal game against Brazil, the US team was behind by ten points. Bolton made a three-pointer in the second half. This gave her team the lead. She scored 16 points in total. The US won 93–79. The gold medal game was against Russia. The US team won 71–65. Bolton hit a three-pointer late in the game to give the US a lead they kept.

Bolton also played for the national team in the 2000 Olympics. These were in Sydney, Australia. The USA team won all eight games. They won the gold medal game against Australia. Bolton averaged 5.0 points per game.

Life After Basketball

After leaving the Monarchs as a player in 2005, Ruthie Bolton worked in their front office. She focused on public relations. From 2004 to 2005, she was the head coach for the women's basketball team at William Jessup University. This school is in Rocklin, California. Currently, Bolton is the head coach for girls' basketball at Vacaville Christian High School. This school is in Vacaville, California. She also enjoys gospel singing.

Ms. Bolton has also worked with the U.S. Department of State. She is part of the Sport Diplomacy Sports Envoy program. She has traveled to many countries. These include Armenia, Australia, China, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Papua New Guinea, and Saudi Arabia. In these places, she teaches basketball to young people and women. She has taught about 1300 people worldwide. Bolton helps promote understanding and inclusion through sports. She also supports the US goal of helping women and girls around the world.

She lives in Sacramento, California.

Ruthie Bolton still works with the Golden State Warriors. She helps with many of their youth camps. She also continues her 'AIM HIGH' program. This program visits many middle and high schools. It is in Sacramento County and other areas. Ruthie Bolton is now supporting the opening of "Ruthie's Place." This will be in the Oak Park area of Sacramento. Ruthie is working with A Community For Peace (ACFP) on Ruthie's Place. You can find more at www.acommunityforpeace.org.

In 2014, Ruthie was added to the Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame.

Ruthie Bolton is also an author. She has written two books. They are called "From Pain to Peace" and "The Ride of a Lifetime."

Images for kids

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  Bolton in 2017

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  Bolton wearing a Team USA jersey in April 2006