Maya Moore Named ESPN.com Player of the Year

Tina Charles, left, Renee Montgomery and Maya Moore can afford to celebrate with UConn comfortably ahead in the final minute - John Woike/Hartford Courant

The various news organizations and media outlets are starting to put out their Player of the Year and All-American Teams and this time it’s ESPN.com with their Women’s All-American Team and Player of the Year.

I’m pretty sure this won’t come as a surprise to people around these parts but ESPN.com has unanimously selected UConn Huskies sophomore forward Maya Moore as the ESPN.com Women’s Player of the Year.

Her teammate Renee Montgomery joins her on the First Team and Tina Charles was named a Second Team All-American.

“Moore’s sophomore season proved her ability to elevate an already pretty airtight game,” ESPN.com columnist Mechelle Voepel writes. “This year, her defense has become even more energized and dynamic, her ability to run the court is sharper, and her leadership skills — which complement, not compete with, senior Renee Montgomery — more valuable.”

“The Huskies shook off the decision of prized recruit Elena Delle Donne not to come to UConn. They dealt with the loss of another freshman, Caroline Doty, to a knee injury. They seamlessly replaced the important, if understated, contributions of last season’s senior class,” Voepel adds. “And they have answered any and all challenges thus far. Maya Moore’s leadership and steady personality are essential to UConn handling all of that.”

ESPN.COM’S ALL-AMERICA FIRST TEAM

  • DeWanna Bonner*, Auburn, 6-4, senior, guard
  • Angel McCoughtry*, Louisville, 6-1, senior, forward
  • Renee Montgomery*, Connecticut, 5-7, senior, guard
  • Maya Moore, Connecticut*, 6-0, sophomore, forward
  • Courtney Paris, Oklahoma, 6-4, senior, center

ESPN.COM’S ALL-AMERICA SECOND TEAM

  • Jayne Appel, Stanford, 6-4, jr., F/C
  • Tina Charles, Connecticut, 6-4, jr., C
  • Marissa Coleman, Maryland, 6-1, sr., G/F
  • Epiphanny Prince, Rutgers, 5-9, jr., G
  • Kristi Toliver, Maryland, 5-7, sr., G

This is just the start of what should be numerous accolades for the UConn women’s trio.

What could be Moore unanimous? [ESPN.com]

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