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SAN ANTONIO, Texas - UConn senior center Tina Charles was named the winner of the 2010 Naismith Trophy given to the nation's top women's college player. The award is presented by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. Charles becomes the seventh BIG EAST player to win the award and the second straight league recipient. UConn's Maya Moore won the award last year.
Since 2001, the BIG EAST has had six Naismith winners, more than any other league. In addition, six of the last 10 recipients of the award have come from the BIG EAST.
Overall, Connecticut has captured six Naismith Trophies, more than any other school. In addition, the BIG EAST and the SEC have each captured seven Naismith Trophies the highest figures by conference.
Charles was selected over finalists Jayne Appel (Stanford), Kelsey Griffin (Nebraska) and Moore by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's national voting academy, comprised of leading basketball journalists, coaches and administrators from around the country, in addition to fan voting via text message, which accounted for 25 percent of the final results - more than any other national college basketball award. The voters based its criteria on player performances throughout the season. The vote was tabulated and certified by the accounting firm of Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP. HA&W is the largest independent accounting firm in Georgia and one of the top 50 firms in the United States.
""Tina took a talented UConn team and made it even better, which is representative of the leadership qualities she possesses,"" said Gary Stokan, Atlanta Tipoff Club president. ""She enjoyed a remarkable senior season and we are thrilled to award her with the most prestigious trophy in college basketball.""
""At AT&T, we're proud to equip fans with the power to vote for these outstanding student-athletes,"" said Rinne. ""Since text voting makes up 25 percent of the final scores, this is the one award for national college basketball where fans really make a difference.""
Charles was a unanimous selection to the All-BIG EAST First Team and was named the 2010 BIG EAST Player of the Year. Charles is averaging 18.4 points per game, and 9.5 rebounds, while shooting 62% from the field. She broke the school all-time scoring and rebounding records in the Huskies' regular-season finale. Charles looks to lead UConn (38-0) to a second consecutive NCAA Women's Basketball Championship tomorrow night against Stanford.
Past Naismith Trophy winners include:
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2009
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Maya Moore • Connecticut
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1995
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Rebecca Lobo • Connecticut
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2008
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Candace Parker • Tennessee
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1994
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Lisa Leslie • USC
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2007
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Lindsey Harding • Duke
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1993
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Sheryl Swoopes • Texas Tech
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2006
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Seimone Augustus • LSU
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1992
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Dawn Staley • Virginia
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2005
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Seimone Augustus • LSU
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1991
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Dawn Staley • Virginia
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2004
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Diana Taurasi • Connecticut
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1990
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Jennifer Azzi • Stanford
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2003
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Diana Taurasi • Connecticut
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1989
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Clarissa Davis • Texas
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2002
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Sue Bird • Connecticut
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1988
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Sue Wicks • Rutgers
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2001
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Ruth Riley • Notre Dame
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1987
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Clarissa Davis • Texas
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2000
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Tamika Catchings • Tennessee
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1986
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Cheryl Miller • USC
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1999
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Chamique Holdsclaw • Tennessee
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1985
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Cheryl Miller • USC
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1998
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Chamique Holdsclaw • Tennessee
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1984
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Cheryl Miller • USC
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1997
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Kate Starbird • Stanford
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1983
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Anne Donovan • Old Dominion
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1996
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Saudia Roundtree • Georgia
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For more information, visit www.naismithawards.com.
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