Tanaya Atkinson Named Philadelphia Big 5 Player of the Year

PHILADELPHIA -- Capping a tremendous collegiate career, Temple senior Tanaya Atkinson was named the Philadelphia Big 5 Player of the Year after a vote of the group's coaches. The guard also earned a spot on the first team and won the Big 5 scoring title.

HISTORY MAKING
> Atkinson becomes the seventh player in Temple history to earn Big 5 Player of the Year honors.
> It's the second time in two years that the Owls have had the player of the year, breaking a five year drought before that.

BIG 5 DOMINANCE
> Atkinson led the Big 5 in scoring this season, averaging 21.1 points per game.
> She also added 9.5 rebounds per game, 2.7 assists per game, and 1.5 steals per game.
> In four Big 5 games, Atkinson averaged 22.0 points and 12.3 rebounds per outing, recording three double-doubles.

ATKINSON ACCOLADES
> A first team All-Region, and All-American Athletic Conference selection, Atkinson was named the 2018 American Athletic Conference Most Improved Player.
> She ranked in the top 20 in the nation in free throws (11th), double-doubles (16th), points per game (17th).
> Atkinson also led the American Athletic Conference in scoring and double-doubles and finished second in rebounding.
> She set Temple records with 654 points and 169 free throws this season.
> Atkinson also broke the AAC record for free throws (169) in a season, and rebounds in a tournament game (17).
> She became just the second player in Temple program history to reach 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.
> Atkinson finished her career second all-time for Temple with 1,890 points and 1,053 rebounds.

BIG 5 BANQUET
> The Big 5 banquet is set for Monday, April 16, starting at 6 p.m. at the Palestra.
> Tickets are $15 in advance and will be available at the door the night of the banquet for $20.
> Along with current season men's and women's award winners, the banquet will also honor the 2018 inductions to the Big 5 Hall of Fame.
> Temple's Candice Dupree will be inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Owls.
> To buy tickets, click here.

Philadelphia Big 5 Women's Basketball Award Winners
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Tanaya Atkinson, Temple (Senior, Guard)

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Eleah Parker, Penn (Freshman, Center)

COACH OF THE YEAR
Harry Perretta, Villanova

TEAM CO-CHAMPIONS
Penn Quakers & Villanova Wildcats

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Kelly Jekot, Villanova (Sophomore, Guard)

SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Sarah Veilleux, Saint Joseph's (Junior, Guard)

LEADING SCORER
Tanaya Atkinson, Temple (Senior, Guard)

LEADING FREE THROW SHOOTER
Chelsea Woods, Saint Joseph's (Senior, Guard/Forward)

ALL-BIG 5 FIRST TEAM
Tanaya Atkinson, Temple
Amy Griffin, La Salle
Alex Louin, Villanova
Michelle Nwokedi, Penn
Chelsea Woods, Saint Joseph's

ALL-BIG 5 SECOND TEAM
Mary Gedaka, Villanova
Adrianna Hahn, Villanova
Kelly Jekot, Villanova
Eleah Parker, Penn
Anna Ross, Penn
Sarah Veilleux, Saint Joseph's

Temple University Athletics

Tanaya Atkinson Named Philadelphia Big 5 Player of the Year

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