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University of Massachusets Athletics
Photo by: THOM KENDALL FOR UMASS ATHLETICS
Breen Nominated For NCAA Woman Of The Year Award
July 11, 2023 | Women's Basketball
Breen is one of 17 female student-athletes from the Atlantic 10 Conference to be nominated for the prestigious honor.
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts women's basketball alumna Sam Breen is among a record total of 17 outstanding female student-athletes from the Atlantic 10 Conference nominated for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award, as announced by the league on Tuesday. The pool of nominees represents nine sports across 13 A-10 institutions.
Breen, a 2023 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year and back-to-back Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, averaged 17.3 points per game (589 total points) in 2022-23, while averaging 10.1 rebounds per game (345 total). The Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, native, finished third in the A-10 in scoring and first in rebounding while also sitting 20th in the nation. Breen recorded 20 double-doubles on the season, a career-high in a single season, placing ninth in the country and moving her career total to 60. She also registered her first career triple-double against St. Bonaventure (12/31), just the second triple double in program history. In defensive rebounds per game, Breen ranked 20th in the nation (7.4; 250 total) and 10th in total rebounds (345).
Breen's 17.3 points per game, 10.1 rebounds per game and 1.5 steals per game marked her fourth consecutive season averaging 15-plus points, nine or more rebounds and 1.5 swipes per game. She was also the only Division I player to average at least 17 points, 10 rebounds and three assists this past season.
The alumna racked up 589 points on the year to break the single-season record for the most points in program history, surpassing Sue Peters' 1978-79 season record of 587. Breen also grabbed 345 total rebounds, placing third in the category in a single season.
Breen registered 1,974 total points, including 1,930 at UMass, to complete her career as the all-time leading scorer in program history. She also came down with a total of 1,154 rebounds during her collegiate career, including 1,101 as a Minutewomen, placing second all-time in total rebounds.
Additionally, Breen was tabbed Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division I Women's Basketball Player of the Year and earned A-10 All-Conference First Team honors. She also landed on both the 2023 Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Women's Watch List and the 2022-23 Wooden Award Preseason Top-50 Watch List, while being named to the FIU Thanksgiving Classic All-Tournament Team.
The 17 institutional nominees have been recognized for their leadership skills, academic prowess, exceptional athletic success and for community service. The candidates have noteworthy credentials, garnering, All-Conference awards, postseason championship participation and national and A-10 academic honors. A complete list of the nominees, their sport, hometown and academic studies are included below. The league's Senior Woman Administrators will vote on the nominees to select two student-athletes who will be named A-10 Woman of the Year and represent the Atlantic 10 Conference as 2023 NCAA Woman of the Year conference finalists.
One of the most prestigious NCAA awards, the Woman of the Year Award was established in 1991 to celebrate the achievements of women in intercollegiate athletics. Now in its 32nd year, the NCAA Woman of the Year award honors graduating female college athletes who have distinguished themselves in academics, athletics, service and leadership throughout their collegiate careers. It's worth nothing that this year marks the 50th Anniversary of the passage of Title IX.
Per the NCAA, all conference-level nominees are forwarded to the Woman of the Year selection committee. The selection committee will choose the top 10 honorees in each division. From among those 30 honorees, the selection committee will determine the three finalists in each division. Finally, the members of the Committee on Women's Athletics will vote from among the top nine finalists to determine the 2023 NCAA Woman of the Year. The top 30 honorees will be honored, and the 2023 NCAA Woman of the Year winner will be announced this fall.
2023 Atlantic 10 Conference NCAA Woman of the Year Institutional Nominees
Shelby Stanley Swimming & Diving Davidson
Casey Bogues Track & Field Dayton
Laura Ehrenberger Cross Country/Track & Field Duquesne
Amy Read Swimming & Diving Duquesne
Clare Culver Swimming & Diving Fordham
Annabelle Eastman Cross Country/Track & Field George Mason
Aly Rayle Softball George Mason
Elizabeth Rowland Rowing George Washington
Mayowa Taiwo Women's Basketball George Washington
El Mancini Cross Country/Track & Field La Salle
Sam Breen Women's Basketball Massachusetts
Julie Fortin Rowing Rhode Island
Trinity Smith Track & Field Rhode Island
Arden Tierney Women's Lacrosse Richmond
Nora Anderson Women's Lacrosse St. Bonaventure
Kayla Flanders Women's Soccer Saint Joseph's
Litiana Field Field Hockey VCU
Breen, a 2023 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year and back-to-back Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, averaged 17.3 points per game (589 total points) in 2022-23, while averaging 10.1 rebounds per game (345 total). The Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, native, finished third in the A-10 in scoring and first in rebounding while also sitting 20th in the nation. Breen recorded 20 double-doubles on the season, a career-high in a single season, placing ninth in the country and moving her career total to 60. She also registered her first career triple-double against St. Bonaventure (12/31), just the second triple double in program history. In defensive rebounds per game, Breen ranked 20th in the nation (7.4; 250 total) and 10th in total rebounds (345).
Breen's 17.3 points per game, 10.1 rebounds per game and 1.5 steals per game marked her fourth consecutive season averaging 15-plus points, nine or more rebounds and 1.5 swipes per game. She was also the only Division I player to average at least 17 points, 10 rebounds and three assists this past season.
The alumna racked up 589 points on the year to break the single-season record for the most points in program history, surpassing Sue Peters' 1978-79 season record of 587. Breen also grabbed 345 total rebounds, placing third in the category in a single season.
Breen registered 1,974 total points, including 1,930 at UMass, to complete her career as the all-time leading scorer in program history. She also came down with a total of 1,154 rebounds during her collegiate career, including 1,101 as a Minutewomen, placing second all-time in total rebounds.
Additionally, Breen was tabbed Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division I Women's Basketball Player of the Year and earned A-10 All-Conference First Team honors. She also landed on both the 2023 Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Women's Watch List and the 2022-23 Wooden Award Preseason Top-50 Watch List, while being named to the FIU Thanksgiving Classic All-Tournament Team.
The 17 institutional nominees have been recognized for their leadership skills, academic prowess, exceptional athletic success and for community service. The candidates have noteworthy credentials, garnering, All-Conference awards, postseason championship participation and national and A-10 academic honors. A complete list of the nominees, their sport, hometown and academic studies are included below. The league's Senior Woman Administrators will vote on the nominees to select two student-athletes who will be named A-10 Woman of the Year and represent the Atlantic 10 Conference as 2023 NCAA Woman of the Year conference finalists.
One of the most prestigious NCAA awards, the Woman of the Year Award was established in 1991 to celebrate the achievements of women in intercollegiate athletics. Now in its 32nd year, the NCAA Woman of the Year award honors graduating female college athletes who have distinguished themselves in academics, athletics, service and leadership throughout their collegiate careers. It's worth nothing that this year marks the 50th Anniversary of the passage of Title IX.
Per the NCAA, all conference-level nominees are forwarded to the Woman of the Year selection committee. The selection committee will choose the top 10 honorees in each division. From among those 30 honorees, the selection committee will determine the three finalists in each division. Finally, the members of the Committee on Women's Athletics will vote from among the top nine finalists to determine the 2023 NCAA Woman of the Year. The top 30 honorees will be honored, and the 2023 NCAA Woman of the Year winner will be announced this fall.
2023 Atlantic 10 Conference NCAA Woman of the Year Institutional Nominees
Shelby Stanley Swimming & Diving Davidson
Casey Bogues Track & Field Dayton
Laura Ehrenberger Cross Country/Track & Field Duquesne
Amy Read Swimming & Diving Duquesne
Clare Culver Swimming & Diving Fordham
Annabelle Eastman Cross Country/Track & Field George Mason
Aly Rayle Softball George Mason
Elizabeth Rowland Rowing George Washington
Mayowa Taiwo Women's Basketball George Washington
El Mancini Cross Country/Track & Field La Salle
Sam Breen Women's Basketball Massachusetts
Julie Fortin Rowing Rhode Island
Trinity Smith Track & Field Rhode Island
Arden Tierney Women's Lacrosse Richmond
Nora Anderson Women's Lacrosse St. Bonaventure
Kayla Flanders Women's Soccer Saint Joseph's
Litiana Field Field Hockey VCU
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