Temple University Athletics
STALEY NAMED ONE OF ESPN.COM'S TOP 25 PLAYERS OF THE PAST 25 YEARS
1.10.06 | Women's Basketball
BRISTOL, CONN.- Temple women's basketball Head Coach Dawn Staley has been voted one of ESPN.com's Top Players of the Past 25 Years. Staley is the only player selected who coaches a team that is ranked in the Top 25 as well. Temple is currently ranked #19 in the latest AP Poll.
The players were selected based on their overall careers, but admittedly, with an emphasis on their NCAA Tournament performances. Guiding Virginia to three consecutive Final Four appearances (1990-92), including a spot in the 1991 championship contest, Staley was a two-time Naismith winner, three-time Kodak All-American, the '91 Final Four Most Outstanding Player and a three-time regional MOP. The NCAA record holder for career steals (454), she's the only player, male or female, in ACC history to tally more than 2,000 points, 700 rebounds, 700 assists and 400 steals, and was just the second person in conference history to record a triple-double, a feat she did twice. Staley has always been applauded for her leadership, playmaking and passing skills, and her NCAA Tournament averages (18.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg and 6.1 apg, all of which are higher than her career averages) speak volumes.
Now in her sixth season at the helm, Staley has led Temple to a 112-54 record, three Atlantic 10 titles and three NCAA Tournaments. Reaching the 100-win plauteau during the 2005 A-10 Tournament vs. Xavier, Staley became the fastest coach in Temple women's basketball history to reach the 100 win milestone.
Temple is currently 10-3 overall and 2-0 in A-10 play.
