UConn-bound recruit Breanna Stewart has been named the 2011 USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year, it was announced today. She was a member of the gold-medal winning 2011 USA U-19 World Championship Team that competed in Puerto Montt, Chile July 21-31 and the 2011 USA Pan American Games Team that competed in Guadalajara, Mexico Oct. 21-25.
Stewart was also named to the five-member All-FIBA U-19 World Championship Team.
“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.’’
Stewart, who was the second youngest member of the U-19 team, led the team in scoring (11.2), rebounding (7.3) and blocks (1.7) in 19.9 minutes. She also led the Pan American Games Team in scoring (15.3), rebounding (11.3), blocked shots (1.8) and minutes (27.8).
Stewart was the only high school player on the Pan American Games Team.
“Breanna Stewart ranks up with Maya Moore as one of the most competitive young players that I’ve ever seen,’’ U-19/Hartford head coach and the 2011 USA Basketball National Coach of the Year Jennifer Rizzotti said. “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.”
USA Basketball will now nominate Stewart for the U.S. Olympic Committee’s 2011 SportsWoman of the Year, which will be announced at some point this year. 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,’’ USA Basketball Executive Director/CEO Jim Tooley said. “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.’’
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