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| PARTY OF FIVE |
|  | | Sveta tallied 58 points and 23 rebounds in seven games for Russia at the Olympics. |
Svetlana Abrosimova: In the Crosshairs
Senior, F, 6-2, Connecticut (St. Petersburg, Russia)
Kodak All-American; AP first-team All-American; 2000 NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team; Most Outstanding Player at East Regional; represented Russia at Sydney Games, averaging 8.3 points and shooting 53.5 percent from field.
"She can go to the glass, get her own rebound and get it down, or she can run the floor and get the ball in the open court. She has a terrific shot, and she's great at taking you off the dribble. She has it all."
-- Nancy Lieberman-Cline
| G |
MIN |
FG |
REB |
AST |
PTS |
| 37 | 28.4 |
49.1 | 6.2 |
4.2 | 13.4 |
|
|
|  | | After a torn ACL as a freshman, Bird returned to lead UConn to glory in 2000. |
Sue Bird: In the Crosshairs
Junior, G, 5-9, Connecticut (Syosset, N.Y.)
AP honorable mention All-American; won Nancy Lieberman-Cline National Point Guard of the Year award; led U.S. Jones Cup gold medal winning-team in assists (4.3).
"The steering wheel on the UConn Ferrari, always in control." -- Mechelle Voepel
"She might not score 20 points a game, but she's responsible for 40. She doesn't always make the pass that leads to the basket, but she makes the pass that leads to the assist." -- Jay Bilas
| G |
MIN |
FG |
REB |
AST |
PTS |
| 37 | 28.4 |
50.2 | 2.5 |
4.3 | 10.9 |
|
|
|  | | Tamika Catchings was the consensus Player of the Year for the 1999-2000 season. |
Tamika Catchings: In the Crosshairs
Senior, F, 6-1, Tennessee (Duncanville, Texas)
Three-time Kodak All-American; 2000 Naismith, WBCA/Rawlings and AP Player of Year; first-team AP All-American; on track to become second Lady Vol to notch 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, joining Chamique Holdsclaw.
"She can play the 1 or the 5, and her versatility makes her so valuable. She can play out in the perimeter, with her back to the basket, take you to the basket and take the 3. She can also change the game defensively, take charges and get into the passing lane."
-- Nancy Lieberman-Cline
| G |
MIN |
FG |
REB |
AST |
PTS |
| 37 | 30.9 |
47.5 | 7.9 |
2.7 | 15.7 |
|
|
|  | | A savvy left-hander, Douglas was a sophomore when Purdue won the 1999 title. |
Katie Douglas: In the Crosshairs
Senior, G-F, 6-1, Purdue (Indianapolis)
2000 Kodak All-American; AP second-team All-American; Big Ten Player of Year (media); first Purdue junior to join 1,000-point, 500-rebound, 300-steal, 200-assist club; named to 1999 NCAA Tournament Final Four team.
"So versatile, Douglas will find every way possible to help her team." -- Mechelle Voepel
"This lefty is solid off the dribble and deadly from downtown. She has the versatility to handle the ball under pressure and post up on the low block."
-- Beth Mowins
| G |
MIN |
FG |
REB |
AST |
PTS |
| 30 | 37.5 | 42.5 | 6.5 | 4.7 |
20.4 |
|
|
|  | | Kelly Miller helped lead the Lady Bulldogs to the Final Four in 1999. |
Kelly Miller: In the Crosshairs
Senior, G, 5-10, Georgia (Rochester, Minn.)
Kodak All-American; AP first-team All-American; SEC Player of Year; first junior in SEC history to reach 1,500-point, 400-assist, 200-steal plateau; along with twin Coco, won the 2000 Sullivan Award as the nation's top amateur athletes.
"She works toward being a great basketball player everyday. She has tremendous court awareness, and has the ability to play the 1, 2 or 3. She also has great range on her shot, and thinks the game out really well."
-- Nancy Lieberman-Cline
| G |
MIN |
FG |
REB |
AST |
PTS |
| 36 | 32 |
44.5 | 4.7 |
4.5 | 15.1 |
|
|
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ALSO NOMINATED
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Shea Ralph
Connecticut
|
"She brings a competitive aspect to things. She scores, she defends and really runs the court. She's just really good in their system." -- Jay Bilas
"Shea's game isn't always pretty, but it's always effective. She has the skills to play three or four positions, good floor vision and uncanny body control which gets her to the free-throw line. I'd pick her on my team simply because I wouldn't want to play against her." -- Beth Mowins
|
Semeka Randall
Tennessee
|
"Randall is the rabble-rouser who stirs up trouble for opponents better than anyone in the country. She's a relentless defender who might be a jump shot away from Player of the Year honors. If you need a warrior to turn up the heat during a game, Randall is your girl."
-- Beth Mowins
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Tasha Pointer
Rutgers
|
"I saw her a lot this summer, and she's very hungry. There's nothing better than giving someone a taste of success. And after getting Rutgers to the Final Four, her goal now is to get back there and win it. I don't know how realistic that is, but she is the leader of that team." -- Robin Roberts
|
Ruth Riley
Notre Dame
|
"Riley is a good shot-blocker with good foot work near the basket. She helps out the team if it's a half-court game by scoring in the paint, or denying foes from doing the same. She's tough on the boards and a good outlet passer to get the break going." -- Beth Mowins
|
LaToya Thomas
Mississippi State
|
"She might be the best player in the country. She's just unbelievable and had an amazing freshman year. She carried her team for most of the season, yet never once played like a freshman. She has tremendous athleticism and hands, and I like the way she moves on the court." -- Nancy Lieberman-Cline
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Jackie Stiles
Southwest Missouri State
|
"Playing in the Missouri Valley Conference, Stiles doesn't get as much attention as she deserves. But regardless of your strength of schedule, you don't lead the country in scoring if you're not a talented player." -- Melanie Jackson
|
Diana Taurasi
Connecticut
|
"This big shooting guard is in range when she comes across the half-court line. But she loves to pass the ball, too. She's so savvy for a freshman, and I haven't seen someone out of high school in this position in a long time." -- Robin Roberts
|
ESPN's Robin Roberts, Jay Bilas, Beth Mowins and Nancy Lieberman-Cline, as well as ESPN.com writer Mechelle Voepel and women's college basketball editor Melanie Jackson contributed to the selection process.
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