May 1, 2001

Three senior members of Notre Dame’s NCAA national champion women’s basketball team were selected in each of the first three rounds of the Women’s National Basketball Association draft.

Two-time All-America center and national player of the year Ruth Riley went in the first round and with the fifth overall pick to the Miami Sol while fifth-year All-America point guard Niele Ivey was the 19th overall selection, as the second-round pick of the Indiana Fever. Senior forward and BIG EAST most improved player Kelly Siemon was selected with the final pick of the third round by the Los Angeles Sparks.

Notre Dame was one of five schools with three players selected in the 64-player draft while BIG EAST Conference schools produced 11 total draft selections (more than any other conference).

Three former Irish players are veterans of the WNBA: current Irish assistant coach Coquese Washington (’92, Houston Comets) and ’97 graduates Beth (Morgan) Cunningham (Washington Mystics) and Katryna Gaither (Utah Starzz).