Local icons make hall of fame

WINDOW ROCK

A pair of Diné icons were recently inducted to the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame.

Former WNBA player Ryneldi Becenti and Diné radio sportscaster L.A. Williams made this year’s class among 75 new inductees.

“When I got the news I was shocked,” Becenti said. “For me personally, being a Native women and receiving this accolade is just overwhelming. At the same time, I feel thankful and grateful.”

The NAIAHF induction is Becenti’s sixth one.

“There are no words to describe this,” the former ASU standout said. “I didn’t wake up wanting to be in a half of fame. I’m just amazed that they even considered me. I mean, this is just phenomenal.”

Williams, who started her broadcasting career in the early 1990s, was equally appreciative of her induction.

“This is my first one,” the Diné College KXWR program manager said. “I’ve been in the broadcasting business for 30 years and it’s something that I love to do.

“This is not given, it’s earned,” she added.

According to the NAIAHF website, the organization “honors and recognizes the indigenous sport cultures of 27 countries of North American.”

It honors athletes, coaches, teams, builders, medial officials and trainers.

Williams’ tireless work has been felt across the Navajo Nation as she has broadcasted many sporting events in the Diné language with the Phoenix Suns, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and several NFL games.

Locally, she’s offered her voice in providing coverage for high school basketball games.

“This is way for me to give back to the communities, schools, grandparents and family members,” she said. “I do this because sometimes they can’t be there at the ballgames for whatever reason.

“They listen to my voice and my delivery,” she added. “My Navajo language is really strong, and I want to thank all walks of life in Indian Country and beyond.

“They have given me a lot of support thus far, going into the year 2023,” she added.

Like Williams, Becenti has inspired a lot of Native people with her crafty play on the hardwood. After graduating from Window Rock High, Becenti played for Scottsdale Community College for two years before transferring to ASU.

While at ASU, she earned All-Pac 10 First Team honors for the two seasons she played.

Upon graduating, she played internationally in Sweden, Greece, and Turkey before she signed with the Phoenix Mercury as a free agent in 1997.

“You know, I had my struggles,” Becenti said. “I was a part of a panel with Rainy (Crisp) during the women’s Final Four last year and she made a point that as Native players we’re trying to earn that respect on the court with other nationalities.

“We’re trying to represent our communities and our Diné people,” she said. “There were times when we were like, ‘Can we really make it?’ I look back and I did have those struggles, but I think my motivation that I got was the passing of my mom (Elanor).”

Becenti said she also got an abundance of support from her teammates and coaches that helped her along the way.

“I just had that will power to prove to myself that I could do it,” she said. “That’s the same vision that Gwen (Hobbs-Grant), Raeann (West) and Elisha John did right after me. There are several others that have made a difference for all of the reservation kids to go onto college and play ball.”

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