Sky signs center Ruth Riley

With 6-foot-6 Sylvia Fowles already anchoring the franchise, the Chicago Sky managed to get even bigger and deeper Monday after signing 6-5 center and former Olympian Ruth Riley from the San Antonio Silver Stars.

Riley, a 32-year-old former Notre Dame star with three WNBA titles, has played 11 years in the league and led her team to the playoffs 10 times while averaging 6.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. She has won titles with San Antonio and the Detroit Shock.

“We are extremely excited to add a person and player of Ruth’s caliber,” said head coach Pokey Chatman. “Her ability to play the 5 and stretch the defense at the 4 complements our post game very well.”

Riley has spent the last five seasons with the Silver Stars and averaged 5.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game last season. She started all 34 games in the 2011.

“I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to play for the Sky and move back to the Midwest, where I will be closer to my family,” said Riley. “Chicago is a wonderful city, with deep history and undeniable passion for the game of basketball.”

Originally selected fifth overall by the Miami Sol in the 2001 WNBA Draft, Ruth was a standout out at Notre Dame winning the 2001 National Championship and earning the 2001 Naismith Award. In 2003, the Detroit Shock acquired Riley in the dispersal draft after the Sol folded and she was then traded to San Antonio in exchange for center Katie Feenstra in 2007.