Nov. 22, 2004

DALLAS - Sophia Young (Baylor) was named Big 12 Women's Basketball Player of the Week and Kara Richards (Colorado) was named Big 12 Rookie of the Week in the first awards announced for the 2004-05 season. Young was honored for the fourth time in her career, twice as player of the week and twice as rookie of the week.

Players are nominated by each school's sports information office and voted on by a panel of media who cover Big 12 women's basketball.

Young, a 6-1 junior forward, tallied 21 points, six rebounds, three assists and a block in Baylor's season-opening 71-70 loss to No. 3/2 LSU. She shot 8-of-14 from the field and 5-of-7 from the free throw line. Against Indiana, the St. Vincent, West Indies, native, recorded her 28th career double-double which ranks No. 10 on the Big 12's career charts. Young scored 16 points, hauled down 11 rebounds and added two assists, two blocks and three steals in Baylor's 60-47 win. On the season she is averaging a team-leading 18.5 points and 8.5 rebounds. She is shooting .414 from the floor and .765 from the free throw line.

Richards, a 6-4 freshman center, averaged 13.5 points, three rebounds and 1.5 blocks in her first two collegiate games. The Graham, Texas, native scored 13 points and pulled down six rebounds in her first game, a Colorado win over Loyola Marymount. She was the first Buff freshman to start the season opener since Linda Lappe in 1998. Richards hit 7-of-10 from the floor for 14 points in CU's loss to Nevada.

Big 12 Player of the Week

Nov. 22 -- Sophia Young, Baylor

Big 12 Rookie of the Week

Nov. 22 -- Kara Richards, Colorado