Jacksonville, Florida-Our Summer Athletics Alumni Spotlight continues as we turn our attentions to the basketball hardwood and feature one of the best women's basketball players to ever step foot on Kings Road, Ruth Waters-Nesbitt.

A native of Jacksonville, this fiery guard was described by several teammates, coaches, and anyone who saw her play as the "Female Jordan" of Lady Tiger basketball because of her ability to drive to the basket. Waters-Nesbitt was a four-year letter-winner and starter for the Lady Tigers under former head coach Regina Mosely. She was one of the key catalysts in capturing two conference championships over her career. She aided in Edward Waters winning the 2005 Eastern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship, and an improbable run as a #6 seed in 2007 to win the Florida Sun Conference Championship, earning berths in the NAIA National Tournament. In the 2007 title game against #3 seed Webber International, Waters-Nesbitt scored 21 points in 40 minutes of. action, and was named the 2007 FSC Tournament Most Valuable Player. She was also named a First Team All-Florida Sun Conference selection for the 2006-2007 season.

For her career, Waters-Nesbitt averaged 23.2 points per contest, scored 1,387 points, becoming the eighth woman at Edward Waters to eclipse the 1000 point mark in her stellar career. She also shot 38.5% from the floor in her career, added 2.0 rebounds per game, 1.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per contest.

Following her graduation from Edward Waters, Waters-Nesbitt embarked on a brief professional career overseas, playing for Club Atletic Oradea in Romania in 2008. 

Currently, Waters-Nesbitt is married to her husband Stephen, is a proud mother of three children, Co-Pastor of Holyghost Miracle Church in Jacksonville along with her mother, and is a youth basketball coach with The Rock Jacksonville Basketball Club.

We catch up with the Lady Tiger basketball legend to discuss her time at Edward Waters and how she feels about the indelible mark she left on the program.

Q: What made Edward Waters the right place for you to play your college basketball?
A: I was a new mother of a baby boy and since Edward Waters is located in Jacksonville and being that I was born and raised here, I felt that it would be a great college for me to play basketball. And I could continue to help my mother with the ministry Holyghost Miracle Church. And I loved the fact it was an HBCU!

Q: What is your fondest memory as a student-athlete at Edward Waters?
A: When I had the opportunity to preach to the freshman class during my sophomore year at Chapel service.

Q: Going into the 2007 Florida Sun Conference Championship, your squad lost four of the last five games of the season. In the tournament, you all flipped a switch and as a #6 seed, won the conference championship. What do you remember about that season and what switched for your squad to turn things around and win the championship?
A: We all wanted to win as a team, there was noone negative we all saw the opportunity at hand and everyone that stepped on the court had an undeniable spirit. We were always a team that never looked in the pass we focused on what was in front of us. And we loved each other we wanted to win for each other. We all played selfless ball and the chemistry was amazing on the court.

Q: You played with some incredible players during your time at Edward Waters like Latrika Allen, Latoya Jordan, Aisha Thornton, Antoinette Upshaw, Erika Golding and other greats. What was it like to share that sisterhood with them and do you all still keep up with each other?
A: It was AMAZING to play along side of them, we complemented each other so well. Aishia, Antoinette and I called ourselves "The Triangle" because we were so close on and off the court. Erica Golding was an awesome shooter, it was her that scored the last layup to help us make it to the tournament. When I think of it, I often times joke with her by sending her a message that says " That Layup". I speak to them from time-to-time by Facebook Messenger. Antoinette's son and my baby boy have played each other in the past in basketball as well. They will forever be my family. I love them them life.

Q: After you graduated from Edward Waters, you went and had a pro career overseas. What was that experience like for you?
A: It was amazing! I played in Romania, for Team Oradea along side two other Americas. It was a poor country and I had the opportunity to give to the needy. We ate chicken and potatoes everyday of course it was prepared differently. I love basketball so much so the food wasn't a problem for me because i was honored to playing ball and to extend my career.

Q: When you see the progress today the program and school has made since you left, how proud does it make you to see your Alma Mater growing and thriving?
A: It's great to see the college still standing and the sports are thriving. I am very proud to have played at Edward Waters and I represent the school I played basketball for everywhere I go.

Q: What words of advice do you have to current and future Tigers?
A: I would say put God first and make him Lord over your life so that you shall prosper. Because with God, you can do anything you put your mind to. Know that Edward Waters is among the greatest schools in the world. Never be ashamed of EWU, always represent and speak highly of the staff, the professors, and the athletic department in high regard everywhere that you go. Be proud to be a TIGER and NEVER give up on your dreams, because they can be accomplished through EWU!

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