ST. LOUIS (USBWA) Ten standout players representing seven conferences have been selected to the 2011-12 U.S. Basketball Writers Association Women's All-America Team. A trio of returning selections · Baylor center Brittney Griner, Miami guard Shenise Johnson, and Stanford forward Nnemkadi Ogwumike · headlines the selections. The team also features seven conference players of the year and four players who were chosen as the USBWA National Player of the Week this season.
Griner and Ogwumike are among four selections who will be playing in the NCAA Women's Final Four this weekend. Ogwumike, now a three-time USBWA All-American and the Pac-12 Player of the Year and Griner, the Big 12 Player of the Year and 2009-10 USBWA National Freshman of the Year, are joined by guard Skylar Diggins of Notre Dame, the Big East Player of the Year, and Griner's Baylor teammate Odyssey Sims, last season's USBWA National Freshman of the Year.
Guard/forward Elena Delle Donne, the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year as the nation's leading scorer, was also among the National Players of the Week selected by the USBWA this season. SEC Player of the Year, guard A'dia Mathies of Kentucky, was the other National Player of the Week selection, joining Griner and Ogwumike. A pair of standouts from the ACC who both led their teams to the regional finals, Duke guard Chelsea Grey and Maryland forward Alyssa Thomas, the ACC Player of the Year, were selected to the team. Rounding out the team is Big Ten Player of the Year, guard Samantha Prahalis of Ohio State.
The USBWA Women's All-America Team is the nation's best ten players, regardless of position, as selected by representatives of the USBWA. These ten standouts are the finalists for the USBWA's National Player of the Year award, which will be announced on Tuesday, April 3. Following is the complete 2011-12 USBWA Women's All-America Team:
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association, formed in 1956, has named a women's All-America team since the 1996-97 season. The association has also named a national player of the year since 1987-88 and a national coach of the year since 1989-90. In 2002-03, the USBWA initiated an award for the nation's top freshman. For more information about the USBWA and its award programs, contact Executive Director Joe Mitch in the Missouri Valley Conference office at 314-444-4325.
Related link:
All-time USBWA women's honors