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Ryneldi Becenti - Native American basketball hero

Ryneldi Becenti became the first Native American to play in the women's NBA when she made her debut for the Phoenix Mercury in 1997

It's 25 years since Ryneldi Becenti became the first Native American to play in the women's NBA when she made her debut for the Phoenix Mercury. Basketball is a big sport on Native American reservations and success made Becenti a hero in her community. In 2019, Lucy Burns spoke to Ryneldi Becenti about her career and her challenging family background.

Photo: Ryneldi Becenti playing for Arizona State University (courtesy Arizona State University)

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9 minutes

Last on

Sun 22 May 202213:50GMT
BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

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  • Thu 19 May 202209:50GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Thu 19 May 202223:50GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Sat 21 May 202217:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
  • Sun 22 May 202213:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only

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