Maya Moore leads women's basketball pre-season All-America team
The accolades continue to pile up for University of Connecticut forward Maya Moore. On Tuesday, the UConn senior was named as a unanimous pick for The Associated Press’ (AP) 2010-11 women’s basketball pre-season All-America team.
Receiving all 40 votes from the national media panel, Moore became only the second player ever to be unanimously chosen for the All-America team for a second time, joining former Duke University forward/guard Alana Beard.
“Wow, that is really something special,” Moore said in regards to her lofty accomplishment. “It’s such an honour.”
What’s almost as remarkable as how highly touted Moore has been at the beginning of the year, is how well she has been able to finish. In each of her first three seasons with the Huskies, Moore has been named to the post-season All-America team, and was also
named the AP’s player of the year during the 2008-2009 campaign.
Last season, Moore, who averaged 18.9 points and 8.3 boards, led the Huskies to an undefeated 39-0 record, resulting in a second consecutive national championship. This year, the defending champions are again ranked No. 1 in the pre-season poll.
“I would be hard pressed to find somebody who’s had a better career than that at Connecticut or anywhere else for that matter,” Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma said of his stand-out athlete.
Rounding out the rest of All-America squad is Baylor sophomore Brittney Griner (who received 36 votes), Stanford junior Nnemkadi Ogwumike (34 votes), Ohio State senior Jantel Lavender (21 votes), and Oklahoma senior Danielle Robinson (18 votes). Of those selected,
Moore and Lavender are the only members that return from last year’s All-America team.
After looking over the All-Americans, Sherri Coale held those selected in high esteem. “That is some team,” said the Oklahoma Sooners coach whose squad is scheduled to face Griner, Lavender, and Moore this season. “The length they have covering the court and
the talent. That is some group.”
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