Rebecca LoboWithout a doubt, Rebecca deserves much of the credit for raising the popularity of women's basketball to loftier standings, even beyond her 6 ft. 4 in. height.

Athletic distinction first came to Rebecca in 1992 as a member of the Junior World Championship qualifying team, then a year later as a player in the USA Junior World Championship team. But her real fame came when she led the Connecticut Huskies to a startling 35-0 record and the 1994-95 NCAA Women's Championship and was named MVP of the Final Four. At the same time she kept a dean's list standing as a political science major at the University of Connecticut.

In her four year stint with UConn, she compiled a 106-25 record. Connecticut played in four NCAA Tournaments and won two Big East Championships in 1994 and 1995. Individually, Rebecca holds many records and has earned many distinguished awards. At UConn Rebecca is the all-time leader in rebounds, blocked shots, second best in points (2133 pts.), second best in games played and fourth best in field goal percentage. She was named the consensus National Player of the Year in 1995, earned the Wade Trophy for being a positive role model in sports, was a member of the 1994 and 1995 Kodak All-America first team, and was 1994 and 1995 Big East Conference Player of the Year, All Big East First Team 1993, 1994 and 1995.

Rebecca was a member of the 1995-96 USA Basketball Women's National Team and the youngest member of the gold medal winning 1996 USA Women's Olympic Team. After the Olympics, Rebecca has pursued a career in professional basketball. She was selected by the New Jersey Turnpikes in the 10 round of the 1995 USBL Draft. She was later assigned to play for the New England Blizzard in the ABL, but chose to play in the WNBA. In choosing the WNBA, Rebecca was assigned to play for the New York Liberty. Rebecca has had success in the WBNA. In 1997, the Liberty reached the WNBA Championship Game and Rebecca was named to the 1997 All-WNBA Second Team. During the 1998 season, Rebecca was ranked sixth in the WNBA in field-goal percentage and in blocks and ranked eighth in double doubles. During the 1999 season, Rebecca suffered a torn anterior crutiate ligament (ACL) in her left knee in a game against the Cleveland Rockers on June 10.

 
Yet, even with her busy schedule in the WNBA and fatiguing demands of competition, Rebecca always finds time and energy to help women's basketball, or to "help that little kid." Rebecca inspired others with her involvement in the 1995 Special Olympics World Games. Rebecca directed her Iba Award winnings to The V Foundation, which is dedicated to saving lives by helping to find a cure for cancer.

A few career highlights:

  • Led the UConn Lady Huskies to a 35-0 record and an NCAA National Championship
  • 1995 NCAA Women's Collegiate Player of the Year
  • 1996 Member of the Gold Medal U.S. Olympic Women's Basketball Team (Atlanta)
  • UConn all-time leader in rebounds and blocked shots
  • UConn all-time second best in points and games played
  • UConn all-time fourth best in field goal percentage
  • Wade Trophy for being positive role model in sports
  • 1994 and 1995 Kodak All-American first team
  • 1994 and 1995 Big East Champions
  • 1994 and 1995 Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player
  • 1994 and 1995 Big East Player of the Year
  • 1994 and 1995 Big East Conference Women's Basketball Scholar Athlete of the Year
  • 1993,1994, and 1995 All Big East First Team
  • 1992 Big East Rookie of the Year
  • Currently Playing with the New York Liberty of the WNBA
  • Named to the 1997 Second Team All-WNBA
  • 1998 Ranked sixth in the WNBA in blocks per game and field-goal percentage and eighth in double doubles
  • Worked as an ESPN analyst during the 1997 Women's NCAA Tournament