Basketball Career

Rebecca Rose Lobo-Rushin began her athletic journey in Southwick, Massachusetts, where she was born and raised. Her father, a basketball coach and teacher, played a significant role in fostering her love for the game. Lobo stood out in high school, setting a state scoring record that stood for 18 years.

She gained national attention while playing college basketball at the University of Connecticut (UConn), where she led the Huskies to an undefeated season and an NCAA championship in 1995. That same year, she was named the Sportswoman of the Year by the Women's Sports Foundation and received several other accolades for her performance on and off the court.

In 1996, Lobo represented the United States in the Atlanta Olympics and won a gold medal as part of the U.S. women's basketball team. A year later, she joined the WNBA during its inaugural season and was allocated to the New York Liberty. In 2002, she was traded to the Connecticut Sun and later played briefly for the Houston Comets and the Indiana Fever before retiring in 2003 due to recurring injuries.

Standing 6-foot-4, Lobo's height and skill contributed significantly to her success as a professional athlete.

Broadcasting and Public Involvement

Following her retirement from professional basketball, Rebecca Lobo transitioned into broadcasting. She joined ESPN as a basketball analyst and color commentator, covering both women’s college basketball and WNBA games. She remains a prominent figure in sports media and is widely respected for her insights and deep knowledge of the game.

Lobo also co-authored a book with her mother, RuthAnn Lobo, titled The Home Team, which chronicles their family's experience with RuthAnn's battle with breast cancer. She became a spokesperson for Lee National Denim Day, a fundraising initiative that supports breast cancer research, helping raise millions of dollars. In addition, she has advocated for awareness around knee injury risks in female athletes and other health-related issues.