Former UCLA basketball player Ann Meyers Drysdale to speak at commencement

Ann Meyers Drysdale, a former UCLA basketball player and the first woman to receive a full athletic scholarship at the university, has been chosen as the commencement speaker for the 2013 College of Letters and Science commencement ceremonies.

“We wanted our speaker to be someone not just outstanding but someone who was close to the heart of UCLA,” said Chancellor Gene Block, in a press release from UCLA Newsroom.

Drysdale, who graduated from UCLA in 1978, was one of the first woman inductees to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

During her athletic career at UCLA, Drysdale became the first four-time player on the All American women’s basketball team, an ideal team comprised of amateur players given an honorary title. She has played basketball professionally for teams including the New Jersey Gems.

Drysdale also signed a no-cut contract with the National Basketball Association in 1980, making history as the first woman to do so. She tried out for the Indiana Pacers team, but was not selected.

Drysdale will speak at the College’s 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. graduation ceremonies on Friday, June 14.

Compiled by Katherine Hafner, Bruin senior staff.