Ann Strother

Ann Elise Strother (born December 11, 1983) is an American professional basketball player and a member of the WNBA's Atlanta Dream.

High school

Regarded by many as the best girls' high school basketball player ever to come out of the U.S. state of ColoradoFact|date=August 2007, Strother led the Highlands Ranch High School Falcons to two consecutive state championships her junior and senior seasons and was named the Naismith High School National Player of the Year in her senior year (2002) and was the 2001-02 girl's basketball Gatorade National Player of the Year. In 2001, Strother became only the second high school player in USA Basketball history to receive the honor of playing for the Junior World Championship Team, the other being Lisa Leslie in 1989.

College

Strother was recruited by national powerhouses such as the University of Connecticut (UConn), the University of Tennessee, the University of Georgia, Stanford University, Notre Dame University, and Purdue University before ultimately committing to Connecticut. At UConn, Strother would play for future Hall of Fame inductee Geno Auriemma and alongside two-time National Player of the Year Diana Taurasi while helping Connecticut to its fourth and fifth national titles. Strother played in all 143 games of her collegiate career and started in 142. She averaged 12.9 points per game in her career and 14.0 in her senior season despite festering foot problems. Strother would eventually finish seventh all-time among UConn scorers with 1699 career points, and second all-time in career three-point field goals with 290. Strother joined some elite company when she became only the second player in UConn history to amass more than 1600 points, 600 rebounds, 400 assists, 100 steals, and 100 blocks- the other being Diana Taurasi. Strother also excelled in the classroom as she was a Dean’s List student all four of her years at UConn.

WNBA

In the 2006 WNBA Draft, Strother was selected by the Houston Comets with the 15th overall pick before being traded to the Phoenix Mercury for Liz Shimek and Mistie Williams. Due to recurring foot pain and a Phoenix bench that was well-stocked with guards, Strother saw very little playing time in her rookie season. During the 2006-07 off-season, the Mercury traded Strother to the Indiana Fever in exchange for veteran center Olympia Scott. On February 6, 2008 Ann was selected by the Atlanta Dream in the expansion draft.

Vital statistics

*Position: Guard/Forward
*Height: 6 feet, 3 inches
*Uniform Number: 7, formerly 43
*Hometown: Castle Rock, Colorado
*High School: Highlands Ranch High School
*College: University of Connecticut
*Major: Psychology
*WNBA Team: Atlanta Dream

Notable performances

*March 7 2006 - scored 20 points in UConn's 50-44 victory over West Virginia to capture the Big East Championship crown; was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player
*January 7 2006 - scored a game-high 25 points, including 5 three-pointers, in UConn's 89-80 loss to Tennessee; fouled out for the first time in her career in the final minute, to the delight of Tennessee fans
*December 8 2006 - had 24 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and three blocks in UConn's 72-56 victory over Villanova
*March 8 2005 - scored 20 points in UConn's 67-51 victory over Rutgers to win the Big East Championship
*April 6 2004 - scored 14 points, including 3 critical free throws, to help UConn edge Tennessee 71-60 in the National Championship game
*February 5 2004 - recorded 17 points and 7 rebounds in UConn's 81-67 defeat of Tennessee
*January 302004 - had a career high 27 points and added 10 rebounds to lead UConn to an 82-49 rout of St. John's, despite Taurasi's absence
*April 8 2003 - scored 17 points and sank the game-clinching free throws to help UConn defeat Tennessee 73-68 in the National Championship game
*February 1 2003 - recorded 17 points and 11 rebounds in UConn's 77-65 victory over then top-ranked Duke; this game marks the only time Strother was called for a technical foul: she inadvertently elbowed Duke guard Sheana Mosch
*November 22 2002 - had 11 points and 11 rebounds in her first collegiate game, helping UConn defeat Wright State 85-39

University of Colorado

In October 2007 Strother was hired as the director of basketball operations for the University of Colorado women's basketball team, serving under head coach Kathy McConnell- Miller.

Quotes

* "I think the only way you can accomplish anything is to have a positive attitude and look at things in a positive light. There are times everyone goes through that are tough."
* "I think he's (Geno Auriemma) always acted like a Hall of Fame coach."
* "She's (Diana Taurasi) the most amazing leader you could ask for, and she just took control. She made me feel like I had to come out and play."
* "You look at Barbara, Will, all of us, this is when Connecticut starts to play. When the tournaments come, this is when we always play our best."
* Geno Auriemma on Ann Strother: "Nerves are not an issue. To me, Ann Strother is a perfect example of someone who came in here as a freshman and was never afraid to take the big shot, to have the ball in crucial situations. Some kids are just different and they have it in them. She does."
* Geno Auriemma on Ann Strother: " [Strother is] one of those impact players that makes them when you need them. I can't think of anybody we'd rather have shooting the ball. When we get Ann off and running like that, it gives everybody else so much confidence. All of a sudden a three-point game becomes an 11-point game and everybody takes a sigh of relief. It makes everyone around her a better player. She's pretty special when it comes to big moments in games."

External links

* [http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/WBasketball/2006/Bios/Strother.html UConn Bio]
* [http://www.usabasketball.com/bioswomen/ann_strother_bio.html USA Basketball Bio]
* [http://www.myspace.com/aesas Ann Elise Strother Appreciation Society]