Rita Easterling

Rita Gail Easterling (born July 26, 1955) is an American former basketball player. Called '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]

Rita Easterling
Personal information
Born (1955-07-26) July 26, 1955
Listed height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Career information
High schoolMorton
(Morton, Mississippi)
CollegeMississippi College (1974–1977)
WBL draft1978: 1st round
Selected by the Chicago Hustle
Career history
As player:
1978–1981Chicago Hustle
As coach:
1977–1978Mississippi College (assistant)
1981–1983Mississippi College (assistant)
1983–1990Mississippi College
Career highlights and awards
As player:
Medals
Women's Basketball
Representing the  United States
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1975 Mexico City National team
World University Games
Silver medal – second place 1977 Sofia National team

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]

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