April 12, 2006
WACO, Texas - A crowd of over 950 was on hand at the annual Lady Bear Appreciation Banquet, sponsored by the Tip Off Club, at the Ferrell Center on Tuesday night. Fans participated in Baylor's celebration as they shared dinner, watched the awards ceremony and enjoyed a video of the season at the conclusion of the banquet.
Kim Mulkey-Robertson, her staff and the players put the finishing touches on a highly successful season, a year in which the team advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the third straight time, finished the season ranked No. 10 in the AP Poll and posted a 26-7 record.
Just as she has done all season long, senior Sophia Young continued to rake in the awards. At end-of-season banquet Young garnered the team's most valuable player, rebounding and academic awards. Fellow seniors Chameka Scott and Jordan Davis received the program's Lady Bear and Coaches awards, respectively. Abiola Wabara was recognized as the best defensive player and freshman Rachel Allison was named the team's most improved player.
Young, a native of St.Vincent in the Grenadines, received most valuable honors for the fourth consecutive season and was named the team's top rebounder for the third straight year. She completed her stellar collegiate career as the program's first two-time Kodak All-American, its first AP All-American selection and earned Big 12 Player of the Year kudos as well. In addition, Young posted a 4.0 grade point average in the fall and was named to the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll.
Young set four Big 12 career records this season becoming the league's all-time leader in scoring (2,480), rebounding (1,316), double-doubles (61) and rebounding average (9.5). In addition, she is one of only four players who have tallied 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 300 steals and 300 assists in their NCAA Division I careers. The elite group includes Cheryl Miller (USC), Chamique Holdsclaw and Tamicha Catchings (Tennessee). Young finished her career with 2,480 points, 1,316 rebounds, 315 steals and 303 assists.
This season Young led the Big 12 in scoring (22.2) and ranks No. 2 in steals (71), No. 3 in rebounding (10.0) and double-doubles (17), No. 4 in field goal percentage (.551) and No. 15 in blocks (33). In addition she ranks No. 2 nationally in scoring.
Wabara, a junior although player her last season of collegiate basketball, received best defensive kudos for the second straight season. She was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and led the team in blocked shots with 40 and registered 44 steals on the season.
Scott and Davis, honored with the team's Lady Bear and Coaches awards, respectively, enjoyed productive senior seasons and joined Young as team captains. As the team's second leading rebounder, Scott averaged 6.4 boards a game and contributed 8.7 points an outing, including a team-leading 47 3-pointers made. She ended her BU career with 123 treys, ranking her No. 5 on the program's career charts. Davis became one of the program's best 3-point shooters and ended her career ranked No. 6 among program's top 10 in treys made with 111. In addition, she was an impressive 92.9 (79-85) percent free throw shooter, missing only six throughout her collegiate career.
Allison, in receiving the most improved player award, was one of only three Baylor players to see action in every game this season. She averaged 5.2 points and 4.7 rebounds a game in 17.6 minutes of action a game. The rookie post ranked second on the team in field goal percentage at .457 (53-116) and was No. 15 among all Big 12 players in free throw percentage at .736 (67-91).
2005-06 Baylor Women's Basketball Team Awards
Most Valuable
Sophia Young
Best Defender
Abiola Wabara
Best Rebounder
Sophia Young
Most Improved
Rachel Allison
Academic Award
Sophia Young
Coaches Award
Jordan Davis
Lady Bear Award
Chameka Scott
