Jennifer Azzi

Jennifer Lynn Azzi (born on August 31, 1968, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee) is a former collegiate and professional basketball player.

College years

She received a scholarship and played point guard for Stanford University's women's basketball team from 1987 to 1990. During her four years at Stanford, the Cardinal compiled a 101-23 won-loss record, and captured two Pac-10 titles.

During her senior year (1990), Azzi led the Cardinal to win the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship, defeating Auburn University.

Her individual accomplishments include:

* Named to the Kodak All-America First Team in 1989 and 1990.
* 1990 recipient of the Wade Trophy and Naismith Award.
* NCAA Final Four Most Valuable Player (MVP), and the West Region MVP in 1990.
* Pac-10 Player of the Year award in 1989 and 1990.
* Three time All-Pac 10 first team selection

She graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics.

International competition

Azzi was a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. women's basketball team at the 1994 Goodwill Games, which was held in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

She also won a gold medal while playing for the U.S. women's basketball team at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.

She was one of six core players selected for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, but she withdrew herself from consideration to avoid the extensive touring.

ABL career

Azzi began her professional basketball career playing in the United States when she joined the San Jose Lasers of the American Basketball League (ABL) from 1996 to 1998. Unfortunately, the ABL declared bankruptcy in December 22, 1998. Shortly afterwards, she opened a fitness club for adults in San Jose, California.

WNBA career

In 1999, Azzi was selected by the Detroit Shock in the first round (fifth overall) in the WNBA Draft. She helped lead the Shock into the playoffs that year.

Just prior to the 2000 season, she was traded to the Utah Starzz. She remained with the team when the franchise relocated to San Antonio, Texas and changed its name to the San Antonio Silver Stars in 2003.

In February 2004, she announced her retirement from professional basketball.

Life after basketball

Azzi now runs a fitness center called Azzi Training, located in Salt Lake City, Utah. She also holds fitness camps in other cities, and is a motivational speaker.

She also currently serves on the Board of Directors of USA Basketball for the 2005-2008 term.

She will be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.cite web|url=http://www.wbhof.com/menu.htm|title=Class of 2009 Announced|accessdate=2008-07-15|publisher=Women's Basketball Hall of Fame]

References

External links

* [http://www.jenniferazzi.com/ Official Website]
* [http://www.azzitraining.com/ Azzi Training and Fitness Camps]
* [http://www.wnba.com/playerfile/jennifer_azzi/index.html WNBA Player Profile]
* [http://www.nil.org/observer/players/azzi.html ABL Player Profile]
* [http://www.wnba.com/silverstars/news/azzi_retirement_040202.html WNBA Press Release on Azzi's retirement]
* [http://www.wnba.com/silverstars/news/azzi_says_goodbye.html San Antonio Silver Stars farewell tribute to Azzi]
* [http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2005/10/07/SPGJUF3RGH1.DTL October 7, 2005 "San Francisco Chronicle" article on Azzi's life after basketball]
* [http://www.netway.com/~caseycor/ Fan Page (Note: last updated in 2001)]