Dallas Wings’ rookie has good Metroplex vibes after beating Baylor
Ruth Hamblin played in the biggest game of her Oregon State career more than a month ago at American Airlines Center.
Two weeks later, she’s calling North Texas home after being drafted 18th overall by the Dallas Wings in the WNBA draft on April 14.
I had a good vibe during the Sweet 16, and I realized it’s a great city to be in and it was an exciting feeling to be drafted here.
Ruth Hamblin on playing at the American Airlines Center with Oregon State in the NCAA Women’s Tournament
then being drafted by the Dallas WingsThe 6-foot-6 center, who was visiting Texas for the first time in March, led the Beavers to their best postseason run in program history after defeating Baylor in the Elite Eight on March 28.
“It’s kind of a weird reality — it’s like ‘Oh, I was just here a few weeks ago and now I’m coming back,’ but I think it’s kind of cool,” she said. “I had a good vibe during the Sweet 16, and I realized it’s a great city to be in, and it was an exciting feeling to be drafted here.”
Hamblin is one of four rookies among 15 players on this year’s roster as the Wings, the newest Metroplex pro franchise, held their first media day Thursday at UTA’s College Park Center. The Wings begin the regular season May 14. The home opener is May 21.
“It was definitely a flood of emotions, but it was super-exciting,” Hamblin said about draft night. “It’s been great coming in especially with these players you’ve looked up to for so long and to be able to play alongside them is an amazing opportunity.
“They’ve all been super welcoming and helpful on the sidelines, giving pointers and tips and just helping us get better every day, so it’s been a real great learning environment to come into.”
Nicknamed “The Canadian Hammer” — she was born in British Columbia — Hamblin finished her career with 1,302 points, 1,027 rebounds and 425 blocks, and won back-to-back Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year awards.
It was just a completely different lifestyle the first 15 years of my life. I grew up on a farm, rode horses and showed cattle.
Hamblin on life before basketball
But Hamblin wasn’t always in the spotlight. She didn’t start playing basketball until ninth grade.
“It was just a completely different lifestyle the first 15 years of my life. I grew up on a farm, rode horses and showed cattle,” she said. “Basketball just kind of happened and a lot of coaches saw potential in me, worked with me and continued to develop and to be here, in this whirlwind, just a lot of fun and growing throughout it all.”
Hamblin scored nine points on 4 of 7 shooting with two rebounds and one block in 17 minutes off the bench in the Wings’ preseason opener, a 108-90 loss to Indiana on May 1. Fellow rookie Aerial Powers (Michigan State) had 17 points on 7 of 9 shooting, six rebounds, four assists and three steals.
“Those two players can really help us,” Wings coach Fred Williams said. “They’ll probably get limited minutes this year, but I think in the long run, you’re looking at two players that are going to be successful in this league.”
The Wings host Connecticut in their final preseason game at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at College Park Center.
This story was originally published May 5, 2016 at 7:21 PM with the headline "Dallas Wings’ rookie has good Metroplex vibes after beating Baylor."