CSU's Smith Named Women's Basketball All-American by WBCA

ATLANTA – The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and State Farm announced the 2009 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II State Farm Coaches’ All-America Basketball Team. The 10-member team was selected by an online vote of the selection committee. The committee is comprised of one representative from each of the eight geographical regions and a chairperson.

Columbus State's Phebe Smith was selected among the 10 players chosen after earning both Peach Belt Conference and Southeast Region Player of the Year honors earlier this month. With the selection, she now holds the distinction of being the first-ever All-American in the history of the women's basketball program at CSU. Smith was the only PBC player to make the 10-member squad and one of just three juniors - the other seven players were seniors.

"We are excited for Phebe and very proud of what she accomplished this season," said Jay Sparks, who just stepped aside after 20 as head coach of the program. "She deserves each of the accolades she has gotten this season and it is great that she is the first All-American we have had here. We are looking forward to being able to watch her for another season at CSU."

Smith, in her first year at CSU, etched her name in the school's record books right away. She set new marks in total points scored in a season (625), total rebounds (353), and total field goals made (228). Her rebounding total was the fifth-best in PBC history as she became the first player since 1992 to lead the league in both scoring and rebounding.

The younger sister of Atlanta Hawks star Josh Smith, the Atlanta native pulled down a phenomenal 153 offensive rebounds on the season. That statistic helped her shoot over 56 percent from the floor on the year, coming just shy of setting another school record.

Hillsdale College senior Katie Cezat was named Division II Player of the Year, while Lenoir-Rhyne's Todd Starkey was named Coach of the Year.
The members of the 2009 NCAA Division II State Farm Coaches’ All-America Basketball Team are as follows:

“It is never an easy task to select just 10 players from hundreds as the best in Division II, but this group of 10 student-athletes made the job much easier,” said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. “Each one of these student-athletes has distinguished themselves above the rest, and we would like to honor them for their hard work.”

“State Farm is truly honored to recognize these outstanding student-athletes for their wonderful achievements, their dedication to the game of basketball and their commitment to their communities, said Pam El, Marketing Vice President for State Farm. “The State Farm Coaches All-America Team represents true excellence in the sport of women’s basketball, and we are extremely proud to be associated with these remarkable student-athletes”.

In addition to the 10-player All-America team, a number of players were recognized as Honorable Mention team members. Francis Marion's Kevina Ransom and Shannon Singleton-Bates were named to the list.