Oct. 28, 1999
NEWARK, N.J. -- University of Connecticut junior
forward Svetlana Abrosimova is the choice for 1999-2000 BIG EAST
Preseason Player of the Year by a vote of the
league's head women's basketball coaches. Coaches were not permitted to
select their own players.
The native of St. Petersburg, Russia also is a
preseason finalist for the Naismith National Player of the Year. Abrosimova
was a first team All-American last year after averaging
16.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.6 steals. She became the third player in
BIG EAST history to earn conference player of the
year honors as a sophomore. Abrosimova led the Huskies in overall
scoring (17.5) and steals (2.7)
Abrosimova is joined on the >99-00 Preseason All-BIG
EAST First Team by three members of the >98-99 All-BIG EAST First Team. Notre Dame junior center Ruth Riley and
Rutgers guards Tasha Pointer, a junior, and Shawnetta Stewart, a senior,
return this season. Connecticut junior Shea Ralph
has been selected to the preseason first team after earning second team
accolades in >98-99.
Connecticut freshman guard Kennitra Johnson, a
native of New Albany, Ind., was chosen BIG EAST Preseason Rookie of
the Year.
Preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year:
Svetlana Abrosimova, Jr., F, 6-2, Connecticut (St. Petersburg, Russia/Petrogradskoi N86)
Preseason BIG EAST Rookie of the Year:
Kennitra Johnson, G, 5-7, Connecticut (New Albany,
Ind./New Albany HS)
Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team
*Svetlana Abrosimova
Connecticut, Jr.
F
St. Petersburg, Russia
Tasha Pointer
Rutgers, Jr.
G
Chicago, Ill.
Shea Ralph
Connecticut, Jr.
G/F
Fayetteville, N.C.
*Ruth Riley
Notre Dame, Jr.
C
Macy, Ind.
Shawnetta Stewart
Rutgers, Sr.
G
Philadelphia, Pa.
Preseason All-BIG EAST Second Team
Niele Ivey
Notre Dame, Sr.
G
St. Louis, Mo.
Alissa Murphy
Boston College, Sr.
G/F
San Diego, Calif.
Katie Smrcka-Duffy
Georgetown, Jr.
G
Sterling, Va.
Tammy Sutton-Brown
Rutgers, Jr.
C
Markham, Ontario
Tamika Williams
Connecticut, So.
F
Dayton, Ohio
* - unanimous selection
