FCP's all-America teams

The college basketball season does not end when regular season conference play winds down, nor does it end with conference tournaments. To reflect this reality, Full Court Press waits until after the NCAA Tournament to select its all-American teams.

We also split players up a little differently than other media outlets (e.g., not having rigid requirements regarding playing position, and a certain number of positions per team), and we name more than most, but in the end, it is all about the same thing – honoring those players who performed at the highest level.

BCS all-Americans

First team

Candace Parker, Tennessee. While the dunks and the swooping layups get the media attention (and the SportsCenter highlights), what separates Candace Parker from everyone else in women’s college basketball isn't her dunking. Parker is one of the best players to ever put on a uniform because of her ability to shoot with either hand – not just finish in the post with either hand, but hit mid-range jumpers. She can score over either shoulder, take players off the dribble from both sides of the floor (with both hands), and knock down fadeaway jumpers from the baseline, and not to mention hitting the occasional three (though she doesn’t make those left-handed, at least in games). With Pat Summitt’s urging, Parker focused on becoming a more complete player on both ends of the floor this season. The scoring (21.3) and rebounding (8.5) numbers were there as always, but she racked up nearly 100 assists, 90 blocks, and 88 steals. Parker also made 201 free throws this season, shattering the previous Tennessee record of 166 held by Chamique Holdsclaw and Parker (who tied Holdsclaw’s mark last season). She is the best to have ever put on a Tennessee uniform, which is quite an honor considering the tremendous quality of players that have passed through Knoxville.

Maya Moore, Connecticut. The 6-0 multi-dimensional freshman subjugated the Big East and the nation’s elite, and brought back memories of Diana Taurasi’s dominance in a UConn uniform. Moore’s forays to the basket, with her elevation and her outstretched arm sweeping around defenders, were impossible to guard. Her three-point shot, considered an area that needed to improve in high school, proved to be a tremendous weapon, as she made 73 three-point baskets while shooting 42 percent from beyond the arc. Throw in eight rebounds per game, a total of 116 assists and an assist-to-turnover ratio of nearly 1.5, and UConn has its next superstar. Like Taurasi, Moore’s team lost in the NCAA Final Four her freshman year – and then Taurasi went on to win three straight NCAA titles. Moore has the talent and skills to make sure history repeats itself.

Candice Wiggins, Stanford. Last year, Wiggins and Stanford lost at home to Florida State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, creating questions about her ability to lead a team to the Final Four. This year, Wiggins proved there was no doubt about her leadership ability, dismantling the opposition that stood in her way. Wiggins scored 151 points in Stanford's six NCAA Tournament games, the fourth-best total in tournament history. Along the way, she became the first player in NCAA Tournament history to record two 40-point performances in a single tournament. Wiggins also wound up as both Stanford’s and the Pac-10 Conference’s all-time leading scorer (breaking Lisa Leslie’s record) and three-point shooter. And for good measure, she also totaled 121 assists en route to a 1.7 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Sylvia Fowles, LSU. The next Yolanda Griffith has always been a terror in the paint, with her incredible hands that can catch any pass thrown her way, the ability to finish with either hand, and a defensive presence that struck fear in opponents. This season, Fowles added a face-up game and the ability to hit baseline jumpers from eight to 10 feet. While she did not leave LSU with a title, she did lead her team to four straight Final Four appearances and proved she is the most dominating center to come out of college in the last ten years.

Angel McCoughtry, Louisville. McCoughtry ranked fourth in the nation in scoring (23.8 ppg) and second nationally in steals (4.1 spg). She also led the Big East in both categories. More important, McCoughtry singlehandedly led the Cardinals to a near-upset of North Carolina in the Sweet 16, scoring 35 points (out of her team’s 74) and grabbing 13 rebounds. McCoughtry only needs to improve her three-point shot and assist-to-turnover ratio for the WNBA – and even if didn’t improve at all, she is the early-line favorite to be selected as the top overall pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft.

Second team

Crystal Langhorne, Maryland. There have been many reasons to fear the Turtle the last few years, but Langhorne was always at the top of the list. Langhorne re-wrote the Maryland record book, scoring more than 2,200 points and grabbing more than 1,200 rebounds. For her career, she ranks in the ACC’s all-time top ten in points, rebounds, field goals made, field goal percentage, and free throws made.

Erlana Larkins, North Carolina. While other players grabbed the headlines, Larkins quietly was the player most responsible for UNC’s success the last few years. Without Ivory Latta around, Larkins still led her team to its fourth consecutive ACC Tournament title. The numbers appear modest: 13.5 points, 9.5 rebounds (4.4 offensive rebounds), and 3.4 assists per game. But the numbers do not tell the full story. Listed at 6-1, Larkins can guard anyone at the three, four, or five positions – and did.

Courtney Paris, Oklahoma. Another typical year for Courtney Paris: 578 points, 466 rebounds, and 108 blocks -- and she extended her incredible streak to 92 straight games with a double-double. While Paris’ dominance inside was not enough to prevent Oklahoma’s second-round exit from the NCAA Tournament, look for Oklahoma to be a top ten team next year, as the Sooners return everyone.

Ashley Walker, California. Last year’s Pac-10 Player of the Year began the season on the bench, but Walker stepped up to fill the gap, despite being double-teamed in the post, while Devanei Hampton recovered. Walker put up more than 15 points and nine rebounds per game, while shooting 51 percent from the floor and 78 percent from the line. Most importantly, Walker led Cal to a school record for wins (27), the team’s first NCAA Tournament win in 15 years, and a program-best 15-3 record in the Pac-10.

Kristi Toliver, Maryland. While Toliver struggled her sophomore year to find a balance between scoring and distributing, her improved play at the point was a tremendous reason behind Maryland’s return to the Elite Eight, and Maryland’s ability to continue winning, despite the occasional absence of coach Brenda Frese to pregnancy. Not only did Toliver average 17.1 ppg while shooting 44% from the floor, 37% from three, and 86% from the line, she had 275 assists on the season (7.4 assists per game), with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.7. If she commits to playing defense and continues her improvement in balancing scoring and distributing, there is nothing to prevent Toliver from being the best point guard in women’s college basketball next season.

Third team

Epiphanny Prince, Rutgers. While C. Vivian Stringer’s teams are known more for defensive schemes than offensive prowess, Prince is one of the most electric scorers in the game and can create her shot at will. The 5-9 guard not only led Rutgers in scoring, but she also averaged 5.2 rebounds per game and had 94 assists and 84 steals in leading the Scarlet Knights to the Elite Eight.

LaToya Pringle, North Carolina. With the loss of Camille Little to graduation, Pringle went from sidekick to star. The ACC’s Defensive Player of the Year put up more than 14 points and seven rebounds per contest, while shooting 58% from the floor and blocking 95 shots. And the WNBA scouts noticed.

Tina Charles, Connecticut. The sophomore center responded to Geno Auriemma’s challenges to improve her game by controlling the paint for the Huskies and putting up more than 14 points and 9 rebounds per game and shooting better than 60% from the floor. An improved stroke from the free throw line is all Charles needs to be the best post player in the country next year.

Charel Allen, Notre Dame. Allen has toiled in relative obscurity in South Bend, not drawing the national media attention the way other players have. After her performance in the NCAA Tournament (and her 35-point outburst in the second round), however, people noticed. Allen put up solid numbers across the board (15.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 84 assists, 44% from the floor, 38% from three, 81% from the line). Her mid-range jumper and ability to create off the dribble led the Fighting Irish to 25 wins and made life tough for Tennessee in the Sweet 16.

Jayne Appel, Stanford. Appel had a breakout sophomore campaign, with 15 points and nine rebounds per contest, plus 108 assists and 84 blocks on the year. Without much post depth due to injuries, Appel’s greatest attribute may have been her ability to be so effective while avoiding foul trouble (fewer than three per game).

Honorable mention

Andrea Riley, Oklahoma State. The diminutive guard was diminutive in stature only, as she set school records for points (807), scoring average (23.1 ppg), and field goals (268), while also logging 35 minutes per contest. She also had 145 assists (though 151 turnovers) and led Oklahoma State to a school-record 27 wins.

Allie Quigley, DePaul. Known for being a three-point shooter, Quigley expanded her offensive arsenal as a senior in putting up nearly 20 points per contest and distributing the basketball (124 assists). Ask Connecticut how good Quigley is.

Khadijah Whittington, North Carolina State. The undersized post player was the hardest working woman in women’s college basketball this past year. Not only is she one of only three players in the history of the ACC with 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 200 steals and 100 blocks, she played all 129 games at N.C. State in her career, never missing a game. Despite not having Sasha Reaves and Gillian Goring (who graduated last year) in the paint, Whittington was fourth in the nation in rebounds per game (11.7 per contest) and had 24 double-doubles.

Jantel Lavender, Ohio State. The freshman phenom stepped in where Jessica Davenport left off, averaging 17.6 points and 9.9 rebounds per game.

Shavonte Zellous, Pittsburgh. Last year, Zellous was the Big East’s Most Improved Player. This year, she led Pitt school-best 24-9 record in 2006-07 and gave the Panthers their first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament (where they made the Sweet 16), putting up 18 points and five rebounds per game. Against Big East opponents, she scored more than 19 points per game and shot better than 45% from three.

Monica Wright, Virginia. While Marissa Coleman gets the headlines, the best small forward in the ACC resides in Charlottesville, not College Park.

Krystal Ellis, Marquette. Despite losing four senior starters to graduation, the 5-9 shooting guard led the Golden Eagles to the WNIT title, putting up nearly 20 points per contest.

Non-BCS all-Americans

Crystal Kelly, Western Kentucky
Amber Holt, Middle Tennessee State
Leilani Mitchell, Utah
Natalie Doma, Idaho State
Tamera Young, James Madison
Kimberly Beck, George Washington
Heather Bowman, Gonzaga
Robyn Fairbanks, Utah Valley State
Rachele Fitz, Marist
Kristi Cirone, Illinois State
Natasha Lacy, UTEP
Hannah Zavecz, Wyoming

The All-Glue/Sidekick team

Alexis Hornbuckle, Tennessee. As the Lady Vols won their eighth national title, who led Tennessee in total assists? Assists per game? Assist-to-turnover ratio? Steals? Three-point percentage? Exactly. Hornbuckle was the consummate team player, who was able to balance being a star in her own right while playing the sidekick to Candace Parker. Not only was she a great on-ball and off-ball perimeter defender (104 steals), she did everything her team needed her to do – shoot, (44% from the floor, 42% from three), score (10 ppg), pass (134 assists), and rebound (5.5 rpg). She is one of only three Tennessee players to amass more 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 350 assists, 250 steals, and 50 blocks. The other two? Chamique Holdsclaw and Tamika Catchings.

Quianna Chaney, Louisiana State. With Sylvia Fowles controlling the paint, Chaney hit a whopping 93 three-point baskets (53% of LSU’s total for the season), shooting 38% from beyond the arc, and averaged more than 14 points per game. She also provided stellar ballhandling, with 121 assists and an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.9.

Morenike Atunrase, Texas A&M. Coming off an injury-plagued year, the 5-10 wing was not a starter for her senior season -- but by design. Atunrase was one of the most lethal bench players in the country, providing double-digit scoring and often defending much bigger players. And when her team needed her the most (e.g., the Big 12 Championship game), Atrunrase delivered (14 points, four three-pointers, and five rebounds in the Big 12 title game).

Essence Carson, Rutgers. The best perimeter defender on a team known for defense, Carson was the third-leading scorer, a solid ballhandler (81 assists against 51 turnovers), and a calming presence and leader for the Scarlet Knights.

Ketia Swanier, Connecticut. An injury to Mel Thomas put Swanier in the starting lineup, but her individual contributions and improvement would have earned her a starting spot almost every other team in the country. Known for her speed, Swanier improved her all-around game and was a vital cog in UConn’s offense. Two years ago, she made a total of nine three-point shots while shooting 26% from beyond the arc. This year? Forty-five made three-point baskets while shooting 38% from beyond the arc. She led UConn in steals (68) and assists (153), with an astounding 2.1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Kayla Pedersen, Stanford. The freshman power forward demonstrated her ability to play both a finesse style and a physical game in putting up 12.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per contest, including four double-digit rebounding games in the NCAA Tournament. Pedersen not only could score in the paint, she also could step out and knock down the outside shot with great effectiveness.

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Barry H. Uhrman is an attorney practicing in Phoenix, Arizona. He is a frequent contributor to Full Court Press.