UCONN’S Tina Charles Named Naismith Trophy Winner
Huskies Claim National Award in Consecutive Years
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (April 5, 2009) – University of Connecticut senior Tina Charles was named winner of the 2010 Naismith Trophy presented by AT&T as the top women’s college basketball player in the country, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced today. This marks the second consecutive season that UCONN has claimed the prestigious award, as junior Maya Moore won it last season. Overall, the school has won six Naismith Trophies.
AT&T senior vice president, Architecture and Planning Kris Rinne and Atlanta Tipoff Club Board member Kathy Betty made the announcement at the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) awards luncheon earlier today.
Charles was selected over finalists Jayne Appel (Stanford), Kelsey Griffin (Nebraska) and Moore by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s national voting academy, comprised of leading basketball journalists, coaches and administrators from around the country, in addition to fan voting via text message, which accounted for 25 percent of the final results – more than any other national college basketball award. The voters based its criteria on player performances throughout the season. The vote was tabulated and certified by the accounting firm of Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP. HA&W is the largest independent accounting firm in Georgia and one of the top 50 firms in the United States.
The Naismith Trophy presented by AT&T is regarded as the most prestigious national basketball award and is given annually to the women’s college basketball player of the year.
“Tina took a talented UCONN team and made it even better, which is representative of the leadership qualities she possesses,” said Gary Stokan, Atlanta Tipoff Club president. “She enjoyed a remarkable senior season and we are thrilled to award her with the most prestigious trophy in college basketball.”
“At AT&T, we’re proud to equip fans with the power to vote for these outstanding student-athletes,” said Rinne. “Since text voting makes up 25 percent of the final scores, this is the one award for national college basketball where fans really make a difference.”
Charles was a unanimous selection to the All-BIG EAST First Team and was named the 2010 Big East Player of the Year. Charles is averaging 18.4 points per game, and 9.5 rebounds, while shooting 62% from the field. She broke the school all-time scoring and rebounding records in the Huskies’ regular-season finale. Charles looks to lead UCONN (38-0) to a second consecutive NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship tomorrow night against Stanford.
Past Naismith Trophy winners include:
2009 • Maya Moore • Connecticut
2008 • Candace Parker • Tennessee
2007 • Lindsey Harding • Duke
2006 • Seimone Augustus • LSU
2005 • Seimone Augustus • LSU
2004 • Diana Taurasi • Connecticut
2003 • Diana Taurasi • Connecticut
2002 • Sue Bird • Connecticut
2001 • Ruth Riley • Notre Dame
2000 • Tamika Catchings • Tennessee
1999 • Chamique Holdsclaw • Tennessee
1998 • Chamique Holdsclaw • Tennessee
1997 • Kate Starbird • Stanford
1996 • Saudia Roundtree • Georgia
1995 • Rebecca Lobo • Connecticut
1994 • Lisa Leslie • USC
1993 • Sheryl Swoopes • Texas Tech
1992 • Dawn Staley • Virginia
1991 • Dawn Staley • Virginia
1990 • Jennifer Azzi • Stanford
1989 • Clarissa Davis • Texas
1988 • Sue Wicks • Rutgers
1987 • Clarissa Davis • Texas
1986 • Cheryl Miller • USC
1985 • Cheryl Miller • USC
1984 • Cheryl Miller • USC
1983 • Anne Donovan • Old Dominion
For more information, visit www.naismithawards.com.
ABOUT THE ATLANTA TIPOFF CLUB
The Atlanta Tipoff Club, an Atlanta Sports Council property, is committed to promoting the game of basketball and recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of those who make the game so exciting. The Atlanta Tipoff Club, founded during the 1956-57 season, has presented the Naismith Trophy every year since UCLA’s Lew Alcindor first won the award in 1969. Old Dominion’s Anne Donovan won the inaugural Women’s Naismith Trophy in 1983.
The Naismith Award has become the most prestigious award in all of college basketball, recognizing the Men’s and Women’s College Basketball Player of the Year, Men’s and Women’s College Basketball Coach of the Year, as well as awards for outstanding achievement in high school basketball, officiating, and contribution to the game.
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