Jan. 9, 2013

Former UConn All-American Diana Taurasi was tabbed at the 2012 USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year. Taurasi is a three-time Olympic gold medalist who helped lead the USA women to a fifth-straight Olympic gold medal as well as an undefeated exhibition schedule in 2012. This is the fourth consecutive year the UConn women’s basketball program has been represented in the naming of this award.  

 “Twelve years ago I wore my first USA jersey, and the feeling of honor and excitement never diminishes,” said Taurasi, who also earned USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year award in 2010 and 2006. “I had the opportunity to learn from the best, play with the best and be coached by the best. This honor is very special because it is in recognition of everyone who has played for our county.”

Taurasi, who was named a tri-captain of the U.S. Olympic squad, started in all eight Olympic wins and averaged a team-high 12.4 points per game to go with 3.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists per contest in the 2012 London Olympics. She also shot 45.5 percent from the field and team-bests of 42.9 percent from 3-point and 96.0 percent from the free throw line.

“I think Diana was absolutely spectacular as a leader on and off the court,” said UConn head coach  Geno Auriemma. “I’m constantly amazed by her will to win, her drive and how much she makes everyone around her better. It was a great experience for me to get to coach her again. I enjoyed every minute of it. Winning the gold medal, and her playing such a big part in it, put a real exclamation point on the whole summer.”

Taurasi also averaged 10.6 points, 1.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game to help the USA Women’s National Team to a 5-0 exhibition mark with friendly wins over China, Brazil, Great Britain, Croatia and Turkey in 2012.

“USA Basketball is very proud to celebrate Diana’s accomplishments in 2012, and we are grateful for all that she has done as a part of USA Basketball,” said Jim Tooley, USA Basketball Executive Director/CEO. “In capturing her third Olympic gold medal she was incredible to watch on the court, and she was an absolute leader as well. Diana is one of the reasons the USA Women’s National Team has maintained such excellence and captured five straight Olympic gold medals.”

With 18 points and a 4-of-8 performance from 3-point in the USA’s win over Czech Republic on
Aug. 3. Taurasi tied the U.S. Olympic single-game record for 3-pointers attempted, a mark she reached twice before – in 2004 and 2008.

She led the USA with 22 points and four steals in a win against China on Aug. 5, and she was the team’s high scorer with 15 points and four assists in the USA’s quarterfinal win over Canada on Aug. 7.

In a semifinal win over Australia on Aug. 9, she added 14 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the free throw line, and she contributed nine points and six assists in the gold-medal victory over France on Aug. 11.

USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year Award Recipients
2012    Diana Taurasi 2011    Breanna Stewart 2010    Diana Taurasi 2009    Tina Charles 2008    Katie Smith 2007    Candice Wiggins 2006    Diana Taurasi 2005    Crystal Langhorne 2004    Dawn Staley 2003    Seimone Augustus 2002    Lisa Leslie 2001    Ayana Walker 2000    Teresa Edwards 1999    Natalie Williams 1998    Lisa Leslie 1997    Chamique Holdsclaw 1996    Teresa Edwards	1995    Sylvia Crawley 1994    Dawn Staley 1993    Lisa Leslie 1992    Katrina McClain 1991    Ruthie Bolton 1990    Teresa Edwards 1989    Venus Lacey 1988    Katrina McClain 1987    Teresa Edwards 1986    Cheryl Miller 1985    Jennifer Gillom 1984    Cheryl Miller 1983    Lynette Woodard 1982    Cindy Noble &              LaTaunya Pollard 1981    Denise Curry 1980    Carol Blazejowski

Among all participants in the 2012 Olympics, Taurasi ranked No. 2 in free throw percentage (.960), tied for No. 5 in 3-pointers made (15), tied for No. 9 in 3-point percentage and No. 13 in scoring (12.4) and assists (2.88).

In the all-time U.S. career Olympic record book, Taurasi lists No. 3 in free throw percentage (.936), tied for No. 3 in career games (24), No. 5 in points (254) and assists (50), No. 7 in 3-point percentage (.396) and No. 8 in rebounds (70).

USA Basketball’s Female Athlete of the Year Award was established in 1980 to recognize a USA Basketball athlete who, during the year of the award, made a significant impact on the success of her team’s performance. The USA Basketball Board of Directors is responsible for selecting its annual awards.

The USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year award has been earned by an impressive list of athletes since it was first given 30 years ago, including Breanna Stewart (2011), Tina Charles (2009), Katie Smith (2008), Dawn Staley (2004, 1994), Seimone Augustus (2003), Lisa Leslie (2002, 1998, 1993), Teresa Edwards (2000, 1996, 1990, 1987), Chamique Holdsclaw (1997), Cheryl Miller (1986, 1984), Lynette Woodard (1983) and Carol Blazejowski (1980).