6:00pm: Sportsline with Tony Caridi

South Charleston grad Renee Montgomery retires after 11-year WNBA career

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia state champion, NCAA champion and two-time WNBA champion Renee Montgomery announced her retirement Tuesday after eleven seasons of professional basketball. The former South Charleston High School standout made the announcement on her ‘Remotely Renee’ broadcast.

“I bought a home in Georgia nine years ago and I retired as a member of the Atlanta Dream,” Montgomery told the Atlanta Dream website. “I’ve always known I wanted to be here and now I feel intertwined in the Atlanta fabric and culture. Blessed to call this home. True to Atlanta.”

Atlanta guard Renee Montgomery

“Renee will always have a special place in my heart because she was the very first player to say yes to me as a head coach,” Dream Head Coach Nicki Collen said. “Her energy, enthusiasm and leadership helped transform the Dream along with her 3-point shot.  She prepared the right way and never cheated the game.  It is that same work ethic and enthusiasm that will make her a success in everything she does.  She bet on herself in the middle of a pandemic and has thrived.  I wish her nothing but success in retirement.”

Montgomery opted out of the 2020 season to focus on social justice reform efforts in and around Atlanta. At the time of her retirement, Montgomery was one of the longest-tenured players in the WNBA.

Montgomery led South Charleston to Class AAA state championships in 2003 and 2004 and she was named the state player of the year in 2005.

Minnesota guard Renee Montgomery (21) moves the ball against Los Angeles guard Riquna Williams (2) in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)

After leading the University of Connecticut to a 39-0 record and a national championship in 2009, Montgomery was the fourth player selected in the WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx. She played one season with the Lynx before being traded to Connecticut. After a five-year run with the Sun, Montgomery was acquired by Seattle in 2015 but was traded in-season to Minnesota. She claimed a pair of league titles with the Lynx in 2015 and 2017.

During her playing days, Montgomery also become an accomplished broadcaster, both in the booth and in studio shows for ESPN and NBA TV.





More Sports

Sports
Tucker DeVries prepares to shoulder challenges awaiting in Big 12
A two-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, Tucker DeVries will spend his senior season at West Virginia. As he gets acclimated to a new program, DeVries' focus is on improving the health in his right shoulder after undergoing surgery on it Tuesday.
March 28, 2024 - 4:54 pm
Sports
Darian DeVries welcomed as West Virginia men's basketball coach
DeVries eager for what's to come in what marks second head coaching gig.
March 28, 2024 - 2:57 pm
Sports
Integrating new players, coaches a focus for Herd at start of spring practice
Head coach Charles Huff says learning who his team is a critical component of spring football.
March 28, 2024 - 8:47 am
Sports
Class AAA Boys Basketball All-State List
State champion Shady Spring lands two on first team, including captain Ammar Maxwell.
March 28, 2024 - 8:42 am