Ryneldi Becenti - Native American basketball hero
How the first Native American to play in the NBA inspired her community in the 1990s
How the first Native American to play in the NBA inspired her community in the 1990s
It's 25 years since Ryneldi Becenti became the first Native American to play in the women's NBA when she made her debut for the Phoenix Mercury. Basketball is a big sport on Native American reservations and success made Becenti a hero in her community. In 2019, Lucy Burns spoke to Ryneldi Becenti about her career and her challenging family background.
Photo: Ryneldi Becenti playing for Arizona State University (courtesy Arizona State University)