University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Announce 2014-15 Award Winners
4/1/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
MINNEAPOLIS -- Sophomore Amanda Zahui B. was honored with the Gophers' 2014-15 Most Valuable Player Award to highlight the Minnesota women's basketball annual award banquet at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center Tuesday night.
This season, Zahui B. became the first Gopher to be named to the Associated Press (AP) All-America First Team, earned a spot on the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) All-America Team and was an espnW All-America First Team selection. The center was also named espnW Player of the Week twice this season and the Big Ten Player of the Week four times, while being a member of the Academic All-Big Ten team. Zahui B. is the sixth player in program history to be named a Wade Trophy Finalist and the first in 10 years, and is also a finalist for the Naismith Trophy. She became the 22nd Gopher, and just the fourth sophomore, in program history to join the 1,000-point club with 1,135 career points.
Senior Shae Kelley garnered Newcomer of the Year accolades after being named First Team All-Big Ten by media, as well as Second Team All-Big Ten by the league's head coaches. Kelley was named the Big Ten Player of the Week three times and earned a spot on the Big Ten Player of the Week Honor Roll twice.
Sophomore Joanna Hedstrom and senior Rachel Banham were awarded Gopher Spirit Awards, while the Academic Excellence Award was awarded to junior Shayne Mullaney. The guard garnered Capital One Academic All-Region 6 honors, received the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award and was named to the Academic All-Big Ten team.
Freshman Carlie Wagner was awarded the Iron Woman award, which is given to the student-athlete who dedicated herself to becoming stronger for the sake of being able to compete at the highest level, both in practice and in games, and the Terry McFarland Sixth Player of the Year Award was presented to Kayla Hirt.
The Fast Break Club announced its award winners at the banquet, as well. The awards are voted upon by the
FBC's Board of Directors. The Fast Break Club Award was given to Mullaney, while the FBC's Love of the Game award was given to Banham.
2014-2015 Minnesota Women's Basketball Award Winners
Most Valuable Player -- Amanda Zahui B.
Academic Excellence -- Shayne Mullaney
Terry McFarland Sixth Player Award -- Kayla Hirt
Newcomer of the Year -- Shae Kelley
Gopher Spirit -- Joanna Hedstrom and Rachel Banham
Iron Woman -- Carlie Wagner
Fast Break Club Award Winners
Fast Break Club Award -- Shayne Mullaney
Love of the Game Award -- Rachel Banham
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