Silver Stars re-sign Becky Hammon, Ruth Riley

In an effort to keep their core intact, the San Antonio Silver Stars reached agreements with All-Star guard Becky Hammon and center Ruth Riley on contract extensions this week.

The two major losses for the Silver Stars through this off-season have been bench players Marie Ferdinand-Harris (signed with the Los Angeles Sparks) and Chantelle Anderson (acquired by the Atlanta Dream in the expansion draft), so the team should have little trouble contending for the Western Conference playoffs again.

From the San Antonio Express-News and one of the best reporters I’ve ever met, Terrence Thomas:

“To have a player that’s done what Becky did for us her first year, it allows us to have her in her prime years,” (Silver Stars head coach Dan) Hughes said. “We just felt fortunate to reach an agreement.”

Hammon said she realizes what they have in San Antonio.

“We really started something here in San Antonio last year,” said Hammon, who averaged 18 points and five assists in 2007. “I’m excited about building on that momentum in 2008.”

And let’s not forget about Ruth (of whom my readers know my crush):

“I am extremely excited about my future with San Antonio,” Riley said. “I appreciate the values-based organization, our dedicated coaching staff, and I love the great group of women that I am able to compete with day in and day out.”