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TAMPA, Florida (AP) – Megan Gustafson rewrote the women's basketball record book in Iowa.
The 6-foot-3 center led the nation scoring for the second consecutive season, averaging 27.9 points, and became the fourth player to reach 1,000 points in a year. On Thursday, she won the Associated Press's award for Best Academic Basketball Player.
"It's an incredible young woman who has left an incredible legacy in this school," said Iowa coach Lisa Bluder.
Led by Gustafson, the Hawkeyes reached the Elite Eight for the first time since 1993. That season, coaches Kim Mulkey and Baylor ended their season.
Mulkey was also honored on Thursday, winning the AP Coach of the Year award for the second time. It allowed Baylor's first place to record a 35-1 record and help the Lady Bears reach the Final Four for the first time since 2012. That's when Mulkey won the coaching title. the year, leading Baylor to a 40-0 record. national championship.
Gustafson set an NCAA record this season with 412 field goals. She tied the game for doubles doubles with 33. She shot 69.7% of the field this season and finished her career with almost 66% of her shots.
The Iowa team surprised Gustafson for winning the award by slipping a note while reading the letters from his fans.
"I did not expect it at all. I love my coaches and they've supported me so much, "Gustafson said. "It's an incredible race. I'm a little shocked right now, very excited to have represented Iowa. "
Gustafson's family was joined at the awards ceremony by his parents and sister.
She received 15 votes Thursday from 28 members of the national media panel who select the AP weekly rankings. The vote took place before the NCAA tournament.
Sabrina Ionescu, of Oregon, received seven votes, while Napheesa Collier, of UConn, three. Louisville's Asia Durr had two votes and Teaira McCowan of Mississippi State one.
Mulkey received 17 votes, while Wes Moore of the state of North Carolina and Vic Schaefer of the state of Mississippi each received five and Bluder one.
"Listen, any prizes I'll receive, you know very well, it's up to the kids you train, that's fine," Mulkey said. "We're as good as the kids on this floor and I'm lucky enough to coach a lot of great players. And I would exchange any price against any of them for participating in a national championship. Let's clear this up.
"But in the end, this award is a first for the program, for the players and for the school. And what it does for me, it only picks up dust, which forces me to remove some fabric and dust. But I am humble. It can go to so many people. You just want to be relevant, and you just want to give these kids the opportunity to experience a Final Four and a National Championship. "
Mulkey, who brought her team on stage after accepting the award, said she had grown as a coach since her last trip to the Final Four in 2012.
"You know when to laugh more often, and cut more with them, and when to be serious," she said. "It's up to you, coach, to discover these personalities and what motivates them, and to make sure that you have excellent leadership in this locker room."
Stephen Hawkins, AP Sports Editor, contributed to this story.
Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, disseminated, rewritten or redistributed.
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