Ryneldi Becenti facts for kids

Ryneldi Becenti, born on August 11, 1971, is a famous retired American professional basketball player. She made history by becoming the first Native American to play in the WNBA. She played for the Phoenix Mercury in their very first season in 1997.

High School Basketball Journey

Ryneldi Becenti went to Window Rock High School in Fort Defiance, Arizona. After high school, she attended Scottsdale Community College in Phoenix. She was known as the best junior college point guard in the country during the 1990–91 season. While at Scottsdale, she was named an NJCAA All-American twice. This means she was recognized as one of the best players in junior college basketball.

College Career Highlights

Ryneldi continued her amazing basketball journey at Arizona State University. She was chosen for the All-Pac 10 First Team in both seasons she played there. This honor means she was among the top players in her college conference. She also received honorable mention All-America honors twice, showing her skill on a national level. In 1993, Ryneldi played for the United States team at the World University Games in Buffalo, New York. Her team won the bronze medal, which was a great achievement!

Playing Professional Basketball

After college, Ryneldi Becenti played professional basketball in different countries. In 1995, she played in Sweden. She also played in Greece and for a short time in Turkey. This made her the first Native American woman to play professional basketball for a foreign country. In 1997, she joined the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA. She signed as a free agent and was part of the team during their very first season. Later, in 1998, she was chosen by the Chicago Condors in the American Basketball League.

Special Honors and Recognition

Ryneldi Becenti has received many special honors for her basketball achievements. In 1996, she became the first and only female basketball player to be included in the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame. This is a huge honor that recognizes her impact on sports for Native Americans. In 2013, Arizona State University retired her jersey number, 21. This means no other women's basketball player at ASU will ever wear that number again. It was the first time ASU had retired a women's basketball player's jersey, showing how important Ryneldi was to their program.