Press

Detroit, MI, March 21, 2003

The 2003 Nancy Lieberman Award winner is Diana Taurasi from the University of Connecticut. The honor recognizes the nation's top collegiate point guard in women's Division I basketball. The criterion for the award is the floor leadership, play-making and ball-handling skills that personified Hall of Famer, Nancy Lieberman during her career. Sportswriters from across the country determined the award winner and finalists.

The three finalists (in alphabetical order) are:
      1. Temeka Johnson - LSU
      2. Kara Lawson - Tennessee
      3. Lindsay Whalen - Minnesota

Diana Taurasi has received the following honors this year: Diana has been named National Player of the Year by the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA). She has been unanimously selected as the 2002-2003 BIG EAST Player of the Year by a vote of the league's head coaches. She is also a finalist for the Naismith Player of the Year Award for the best women's college basketball player in the country.

During her career at UConn, previous accomplishments include: 2002 Kodak All-American and Honda Award for Women's Basketball Finalist· First rookie ever to be named the BIG EAST Championship Most Outstanding Player in 2001· Also earned 2001 NCAA East Region MOP honors... Ranks first on the UConn all-time sophomore list in assists with 208 overtaking Sue Bird (160) and ranks fourth on the sophomore list in blocks with 46· Ranks third in UConn history for three-point field goal career average with a .415 clip and is third in career free throw percentage at .844· Has made 52 career starts in 72 games played.

You can visit the official Nancy Lieberman Award website at: www.pointguard.org