Rita Easterling Explained

Rita Easterling
Height Ft:5
Height In:6
Birth Date:1955 7, mf=yes
High School:Morton
(Morton, Mississippi)
College:Mississippi College (1974–1977)
Draft League:WBL
Draft Year:1978
Draft Team:Chicago Hustle
Draft Round:1
Years1:1978–1981
Team1:Chicago Hustle
Cyears1:1977–1978
Cteam1:Mississippi College (assistant)
Cyears2:1981–1983
Cteam2:Mississippi College (assistant)
Cyears3:1983–1990
Cteam3:Mississippi College
Highlights:As player:
Medal Templates-Expand:true

Rita Gail Easterling (born July 26, 1955) is an American former basketball player. Called the Queen of the Floor Burns, she played college basketball for Mississippi College where she was named Kodak All-American in 1977.[1] She later played professionally for the Chicago Hustle in the Women's Professional Basketball League from 1978 to 1981 and was named the leagues MVP and All-Star MVP in 1979.[2]

Prior to college, Easterling played basketball at Morton High School and in 1973 she was named Mississippi Miss Basketball.[3]

In 2011, Easterling was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.[4]

Coaching career

Easterling served as an assistant coach with the Mississippi College women's basketball team after graduation. Following her professional career, she returned to Mississippi, first as an assistant coach but took over as head coach in 1983.[5]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Rita Easterling named as Kodak All-American . 20 October 2023 . Scott County Times . 30 March 1977 . 9A . Newspapers.com.
  2. News: Verenda Smith . Scrapper . 20 October 2023 . . 23 December 1979 . D2 . Newspapers.com.
  3. News: Program friday to honor Rita . 20 October 2023 . Scott County Times . 13 August 1975 . 1 . Newspapers.com.
  4. News: Rick Cleveland . Former MC hoops star was ahead of her time . 20 October 2023 . . 28 July 2011 . 1B, 5B . Newspapers.com.
  5. News: Lee Baker . Easterling is selected MC coach . 20 October 2023 . . 9 April 1983 . 3C . Newspapers.com.