Lobo Retires
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�This was a decision I made long before the end of the season,� said Lobo, who led UConn to an undefeated national championship as a senior in 1995. �While I still love playing the game, in my heart, I know it�s time to move on to a new phase in my life. It was a good way to end my career. I�ve come full circle. I pretty-much started my career in Connecticut back in 1991, and I�m glad that, 12 years later, I have a chance to finish it wearing a Connecticut jersey.�
One of the WNBA�s original players, Lobo was assigned to the New York Liberty on January 22, 1997 as part of the league�s first allocation. She played five years for the Liberty before being traded to Houston for the Comets� second-round pick in the 2002 WNBA Draft. Lobo was acquired by the Sun on February 14, 2003, shortly after the franchise was purchased by the Mohegan Sun.
�There is no better spokeswomen for the game of women�s basketball than Rebecca Lobo,� Connecticut Sun coach Mike Thibault said. �She represents the game with class, insight and articulation. She came to play every day in practice. She was always, always prepared. I�m glad to have had the chance to coach her.�
In her final game for Connecticut, at Detroit on Sept. 7, Lobo went out on a high note, collecting nine points, six rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots as a starter for the Sun, who went down to the final seconds before losing to the Shock in the deciding game of the WNBA Eastern Conference Championship Series.
Overall this season, Lobo appeared in 25 games for the Sun, averaging 2.4 points and 2.1 rebounds. Lobo finished her career with 808 points, 500 rebounds and 104 blocks in 121 games.
�It�s a sad day for Connecticut basketball fans,� Sun General Manager Chris Sienko said. �But it was great to have Rebecca, who is an icon in the state, help launch a WNBA franchise in Connecticut. Obviously, the staff and management here wish her the best. She�s a great ambassador for the league and the franchise and we hope she will continue to help us grow in the future.�