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Douglas receives All-America honors

By Anne McLaren
Assistant Sports Editor

Liz Nicol/Senior Photographer

HONORS: Senior Katie Douglas attempts a shot against pressure from UC Santa Barbara defenders in the Boilers' 75-62 victory in the opening round of the NCAA tournament. Douglas was named a first team Associated Press All-American as well as a first team Academic All-American. Fellow senior Camille Cooper was named to the Academic All-America first team as well.

The Associated Press named senior guard/forward Katie Douglas to its first team All-America last week.

Douglas was the third-highest vote-getter, behind Notre Dame senior center Ruth Riley and Southwest Missouri State senior guard Ruth Riley. Georgia senior guard Kelly Miller and Oklahoma junior guard Stacey Dales completed the first team.

Douglas, who was named second-team All-America last season, is the Boilers' first two-time All-American.

"There's no question it's a great honor for her," said Purdue coach Kristy Curry. "So I'm very proud of her."

Douglas, the 2001 Big Ten player of the year, leads the Boilers in points (15.0), assists (3.6), steals (2.7), 3-pointers made (41) and minutes (31.5). She is second on the team in free throw percentage (.774).

"She's very deserving of the honor," said Curry. "She does so much for our team in terms of leadership. Everything that she does on and off the floor is outstanding. She's truly an All-American."

For her career, Douglas ranks in the top 10 on almost all of Purdue's all-time lists. She has 1,885 points (third), 704 rebounds (eighth), 509 assists (fourth), 316 steals (second), 97 3-pointers (seventh) and 65 blocks (ninth). She is also third in career free throw percentage (.799) and fifth in career points per game (14.3).

In a press release last week, Douglas said, "This is a tremendous honor. It’s amazing and humbling to think that I could be considered one of the best players in the nation. But while it’s nice to be recognized individually, I’m much more interested in leading my team to success. I just want to do everything I can for this team and see the good things that follow for all of us."

With a win Sunday over Louisiana State, the Boilers (28-6) advanced to the Sweet 16 for the fifth time in the past eight seasons. Third-seeded Purdue faces second-seeded Texas Tech (25-6) on Saturday in Birmingham, Ala. In the other regional matchup, top-seeded Tennessee (31-2) faces fourth-seeded Xavier (30-2). The winners meet Monday for a chance to go to the Final Four.

Not just talented but smart

First team All-America was not the only honor Douglas received last week. Along with fellow senior Camille Cooper, she was named to the Verizon All-Academic first-team.

"It's just a great honor for both of them," said Curry. "We're very proud. I think it just shows that they are truly student-athletes."

Cooper has a 3.78 GPA in political science.

"Coop has been accepted to law school in several places, Duke being one," said Curry. "She's trying to weigh her options."

Douglas has a 3.50 GPA in communications (public relations).

"The thing about it is they are great mentors for our young kids to see — that you can play at a very high level and be very successful at a high level," said Curry. "Also, the reason they're here, No. 1, is to get an education."

With the WNBA draft next month, Curry says their basketball careers aren't yet over.

"Both of them have very good chances to play in the league this summer and are due to be very high picks," she said. "They are truly student-athletes and they are a joy to observe."

Sound familiar?

Three of the five players named to the Associated Press All-America first team were also first team Academic All-Americans. Riley and Stiles joined Douglas as multiple winners. Iowa's Lindsey Meder rounded out the first team.

According to Curry, "there's no question" that it's good for women's basketball to have its best players on both teams.

"It's good to see them recognized for both on the floor and off the floor," said Curry.

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