Oklahoma State University Athletics
Title IX At 50: From Stillwater To The W
July 20, 2022 | Cowgirl Basketball
As we celebrate 50 years of Title IX, travel back in time with us as we recount several program-defining moments throughout the history of Cowgirl Basketball which have helped shape the program.
All-American Andrea Riley spent four years in Stillwater rewriting record books and restoring the Cowgirl program to prominence.
Whether it be taking the program from an 0-16 league record to the NCAA Sweet 16 just two years later or finishing her career as the Big 12's all-time leading scorer, Riley was always front and center.
In April of 2010, she would deliver one final landmark for the program she helped resurrect, becoming the first Cowgirl to hear her name called during the WNBA Draft.
On the same day she was named to the USA Basketball Select Team, Riley went in the first round with the No. 8 pick overall to the Los Angeles Sparks.
"It feels great to get this opportunity and it is all so exciting. This all came up so fast and I just can't wait to get started," Riley said following her selection. "Getting to play professionally will be a breath of fresh air and is something I have dreamed about. It will be an honor, which is a great feeling."
The selection put the cap on a decorated career that saw her claim the 2010 Nancy Lieberman Award as the nation's top point guard, Riley finished her career with 2,835 points, the 13th-best total in NCAA history at the time and 707 assists, which ranked first all time in school history as well.
A fiery competitor with the game to match, the Dallas, Texas native scored 909 points as a senior, which stood as the 10th-best single-season total in NCAA history. Riley was also the first player in Big 12 history to lead the league in scoring three times.
Riley's selection signaled the beginning of a windfall for the program, which saw five more players drafted over the next decade. The path was now paved for likes of Toni Young, Tiffany Bias, Brittney Martin, Loryn Goodwin and Natasha Mack all following her to the league.
The two-time second-team All-American would go on to play for the Sparks, Tulsa Shock and Phoenix Mercury while also spending time playing overseas.
WNBA Cowgirls
2010 — Andrea Riley, Los Angeles (1st Round, No. 8 overall)
2013 — Toni Young, New York (1st Round, No. 7 overall)
2014 — Tiffany Bias, Phoenix (2nd Round, No. 17 overall)
2016 — Brittney Martin, San Antonio (3rd Round, No. 25 overall)
2019 — Loryn Goodwin, Dallas (2nd Round, No. 18 overall)
2021 — Natasha Mack, Chicago (2nd Round, No. 16 overall)
