Los Angeles (March 28, 2012)— The John R. Wooden Award® has announced today its women’s All American Team for 2011-12. All five players have proven that they are making progress toward graduation and are maintaining at least a cumulative 2.0 GPA, an important component of the Award insisted upon by Coach Wooden. In addition to academics, the Wooden Award is unique among college postseason awards because voters could consider performance during the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament.

Two of the five women’s All Americans are repeat selections: Brittney Griner of Baylor was a 2011 pick, and Stanford senior Nneka Ogwumike is a three-time Wooden Award All American. Ogwumike took Stanford to its third straight perfect season in conference play, leading the Pac-12 in scoring (21.6 ppg), and ranking second in rebounding (10.5) and free throw percentage (82.8%). Griner ranks No. 6 nationally in scoring (23.4), and leads the country in blocked shots (5.1). Her Bears are ranked No. 1 and are enjoying a perfect 38-0 season.

Notre Dame’s Skylar Diggins, averaging 16.8 points and 5.7 assists, appeared on last season’s ballot, but did not make the All American Team despite a strong post-season. Two of the five schools represented on the women’s team are appearing on the All American Team for the first time: Delaware and Green Bay. The Blue Hens’ Elena Delle Donne leads the nation in scoring at 28.1 ppg, while Green Bay senior Julie Wojta averaged 19.5 points and 9.9 rebounds.

The 36th annual Wooden Award Gala will take place on Friday, April 6, 2012 and will honor the men’s and women’s winners, All Americans and the Legends of Coaching winner Geno Auriemma of Connecticut. The John R. Wooden Award winner will be announced on ESPN at the Final Four in New Orleans, Louisiana.

About the John R. Wooden Award

Created in 1976 and named after the Hall of Fame player, coach and teacher, the John R. Wooden Award is the most prestigious individual honor in college basketball.  It is bestowed upon the nation’s best collegiate player who has proven to his or her university that he or she is making progress toward graduation and maintaining a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA.  Previous winners include such notables as Larry Bird (’79), Michael Jordan (’84), Tim Duncan (’97), Blake Griffin (’09) and Maya Moore of Connecticut (’09 and ’11).

Since its inception, the John R. Wooden Award has contributed close to a million dollars to universities’ general scholarship fund in the names of the All American recipients. The Award has also sent more than 1,000 underprivileged children to week-long college basketball camps in the Award’s name.   Additionally, the John R. Wooden Award partners with Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) each year to host the Wooden Award Special Olympics Southern California Basketball Tournament.  The day-long tournament, which brings together Special Olympic athletes and the All Americans, takes place at The Los Angeles Athletic Club the weekend of the John R. Wooden Award Gala.

Follow the candidates and get the latest news throughout the season by logging on to www.WoodenAward.com or liking the Wooden Award Facebook page. For more information on the John R. Wooden Award, please contact the Wooden Award staff at 213-630-5231 or via email at [email protected].

2011-12 John R. Wooden Award All American Team – Women

(Players listed alphabetically)

*indicates player was 2011 Wooden Award All American
#indicates player was 2010 Wooden Award All American