Here’s the release from USA Basketball naming future UConn Huskies women’s basketball player Breanna Stewart as the 2011 USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Jan. 27, 2012) – A member of two USA teams in 2011 and an All-FIBA U19 World Championship Team honoree, USA Basketball today announced Breanna Stewart (Cicero-North Syracuse H.S./North Syracuse, N.Y.) as the 2011 USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year.
“It is exciting because this is a pretty big award,” Stewart said. “I’m just honored to be thought of as USA Basketball’s Female Athlete of the Year.”
A member of the gold-medal winning 2011 USA U19 World Championship Team that competed July 21-31 in Puerto Montt, Chile, Stewart also played for the 2011 USA Pan American Games Team that competed Oct. 21-25 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
“Breanna Stewart ranks up with Maya Moore as one of the most competitive young players that I’ve ever seen,” said Jennifer Rizzotti, 2011 USA U19 and University of Hartford head coach, and the 2011 USA Basketball National Coach of the Year. “She has the ability to tremendously impact the game on both ends of the floor. She works constantly to improve all aspects of her game, and I look forward to watching her growth as she develops into an even more complete player. Her desire to win and compete on every possession raised the level of intensity for our team and was crucial to our winning the gold medal.”
Additionally, USA Basketball will nominate Stewart for the U.S. Olympic Committee’s 2011 SportsWoman of the Year, which will be announced in 2012. The USA Basketball Board of Directors is responsible for selecting USA Basketball’s annual award winners.
“In her third consecutive summer playing for USA Basketball, Breanna was an important part of two USA teams,” said Jim Tooley,USA Basketball Executive Director/CEO. “Anyone who has seen her play knows what an incredible athlete she is, and how much fun it is to watch her play. She has shown dedication and commitment, and we are very proud to recognize her efforts.”
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
Photo credit: Fiba.com
