Ruthie Bolton

Alice Ruth Bolton-Holifield (born May 25, 1967 in Lucedale, Mississippi) is a former basketball coach and professional basketball player. She is also a two-time Olympic gold medalist with the United States national team, and a former Auburn Tigers women's basketball player.

Bolton, who has a twin brother, is one of 20 children born to Reverend Linwood Bolton and his wife, Leola. She played for Auburn from 1986 to 1989 and led the Tigers to three Southeastern Conference championships and four straight NCAA tournament appearances, including appearances in the final game in 1988 and 1989. In college she averaged 8.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.86 steals per game. She majored in exercise physiology and was twice named to the SEC All-Academic Team.

After college, Bolton played professional basketball in Sweden, Hungary, Italy and Turkey. With Erreti Faenza of the Italian League (1993-94) she averaged 28.0 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. With her Turkish Galatasaray team in the Euroleague (1996-97) she averaged 25.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.

Bolton was named to the team representing the USA at the World University Games held in July 1991 in Sheffield, England. Coached by Tara VanDerveer of Stanford, Team USA sailed through their opening games before winning a close one against China, 79-76 to advance to the final. In the gold medal game they beat the Spanish team 88-62. Bolton was the team's leading scorer with an average of 14 points per game.

In 1994, Bolton was named to the US national team which competed in the World Championships in Sydney, Australia. Again VanDerveer coached the team through early-round victories. This time the USA lost a high-scoring battle against Brazil, but went on to beat the Australia team at home 100-95 for a bronze medal finish.

Bolton rejoined the National team for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, averaging 12.8 points and recording 23 steals in eight games to win the gold medal.

The team next traveled to Berlin, Germany in July and August 1998 for the FIBA World Championships. After a 95-89 opening game victory against Japan, the team won their next six games easily. In the semifinal, Brazil led the USA team by as much as ten points in the first half. Bolton's three-pointer in the second half gave the USA the lead as they went on to win 93–79. In the gold medal game rematch against Russia, Bolton again hit a three-pointer to give the USA a lead. Russia tied the game, but Bolton hit another three to give the USA a lead they would not give up. The USA held on to win the gold medal 71–65.

Bolton continued with the National team to the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. The USA won all eight games, including the gold medal game against host Australia to win the gold medal. Bolton averaged 5.0 points per game.

From 1997 through 2004, Bolton played professionally with the Sacramento Monarchs of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and was twice named to the league's All-Star team. In 2005 she worked in the team's front office as a public relations specialist. She also coached for two years at William Jessup University of the California Pacific Conference.

She currently lives in Elk Grove, California and sings Gospel. She was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.

References

• "Ruthie Bolton (December 13, 2013,) Wikipedia - accessed December 16, 2013

External links

• Ruthie Bolton-Holifield at WNBA.com