U's Zahui named to AP's All-America first team

Amanda Zahui B. on Tuesday became the first Gophers player in program history to be named to the Associated Press All-America first team.

Joining the sophomore on AP's first team were Notre Dame guard Jewell Loyd, South Carolina guard Tiffany Mitchell, and Connecticut forward Breanna Stewart, all juniors; and Baylor sophomore forward Nina Davis.

It was only the second time in AP's 20-year history of choosing All-America teams that no seniors made the first team.

Zahui also was among 10 players on the All-America team named by the U.S. Basketball Writers' Association. She is the third Gophers player to earn that honor, joining Lindsay Whalen (2002, 2003, 2004) and Janel McCarville (2005).

Whalen, McCarville and Rachel Banham, who will be a redshirt senior next season, were previously named second- or third-team or honorable mention All-America by the AP.

No player had more of a meteoric rise this season than Zahui. The 6-5 center was fourth in the nation in rebounding and helped guide the Gophers to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2009. She had one monster week in February when she combined for 66 points and 56 rebounds in two victories.

The native of Stockholm was startled to learn she earned All-America honors.

During her breakout sophomore season, Zahui led the Gophers with 18.8 points, 12.9 rebounds and 4.1 blocks per game. She set program records for blocks (135) and rebounds (426) for the second consecutive year and surpassed 1,000 career points.

The media's choice for Big Ten Player of the Year, Zahui also is in contention for several national player of the year awards.

She is among four finalists for the Naismith Trophy, one of 12 finalists for the Wade Trophy and among 15 players on the ballot for the Wooden Award.

Stewart, Connecticut's star, was a unanimous choice for the second consecutive year.

Notre Dame's Loyd was also on all 35 ballots selected by the national media panel that votes in the weekly Top 25. Voting was done before the NCAA tournament.