Rhonda Jo Miller

Have you ever heard of or maybe seen a famous Deaf basketball player? Her name is Ronda Jo Miller. A former Gallaudet University student reached her dreams of trying out for WNBA team. She scored 38 points in one game. Wow! Even Deaf players can do it.

Rhonda Jo Miller born in April 21, 1978 in Little Falls, Minnesota. She went at Minnesota State High School for the Deaf then went to Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. She's now 29 years old.

As a child Miller played basketball with her brother Robert using a hoop on the shed of their barn. At Gallaudet University she put up great numbers for the Bison including scoring over 1,000 points for the Bison. She was named Kodak Player of the Year, too.

Ronda Jo Miller could be the first completely deaf basketball player to make the WNBA.Ronda Jo Miller is a 27 year old basketball superstar that is working her way to the top. She is a remarkable woman in many ways and after all the hard work she has experienced she deserves to get there. She is a role model for all deaf people around the country. No matter the teasing, booing or anything else, nothing can intimidate Ronda Jo Miller.

Ronda Miller's achievements were mostly in basketball. She was an outstanding player at Gallaudet University. When she was on the basketball team at Gallaudet, her team won 24 games and lost six games. 24-6. Her team entered the National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament and play against The College of New Jersey Basketball team. Ronda scored 38 points!

Ronda's goal in the future was to enter for Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was the first deaf woman to try out for the WNBA in 2005.

Ronda was not just good at basketball, she was also excellent in volleyball. Ronda joined the US Team for the Deaflympic Games in 2005 to play on the volleyball team. She also went at NCAA in 1997 for play volleyball. She had a record attacks per game of 11.94, kills 896, hitting percentage .390, and kills per game 6.45. She is good play volleyball on team.

Her contribution to the community was the fact that she was a deaf role model. Many people thought deaf people couldn't join a national team such as the WNBA or NBA. People often think that players must hear to play basketball. But playing basketball is not just about hearing. It is about watching the ball carefully, being a good defense player, stealing the ball, shooting the ball in the basket. But deaf people can use their eyes to see, play, and score. She is a role model for all deaf people around the country. She goes to various deaf school events to encourage young deaf students to read and to dream. She often says, "You can do it!"

Ronda Jo Miller is an inspiration to Deaf people who wish to join the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Her hard work and her diligence got her far.

Resources

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=1350047&type=page2Story

http://www.d3hoops.com/features/gallaudetw.html

http://www.pocanticohills.org/womenenc/millerrondajo.htm

http://www.d3hoops.com/features/gallaudetw2.html

Written by John, Claire and Stephanie