Zahui B. becomes first Gopher named to AP All America First Team
Gopher women's basketball player Amanda Zahui B. has been making history all season. She did it again on Tuesday.
Zahui was named to the Associated Press (AP) All-America First Team, becoming the first player in Gopher women's basketball history to be named to the five-member team.
She also is the third Gophers player ever to earn a spot on the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Women's All-America Team as well.
"It feels unreal still," Zahui told the Pioneer Press on Tuesday. "It hasn't really set in yet. I'm so grateful. It's crazy."
The honors cap an amazing season by the Gopher sophomore, who averaged 18.8 points, 12.9 rebounds and 4.1 blocks per game. She was named a finalist for both the Naismith Trophy and the Wade Trophy, which are national awards presented to some of the best women's college basketball players in the country.
She was also one of just two players in the country who recorded two triple-doubles last season. Zahui led the nation with single-game highs of 29 rebounds and 12 blocks, and told the Pioneer Press she has no plans of slowing down.
"I don't think you can be satisfied until you're the best. And when you're the best, you have to keep working so no one can catch you. There's so much I need to work on. I feel like I'm just getting started now. I can't settle. It's a blessing and super exciting, but I can't let it get to my head."
Zahui really had to step up after the Gophers lost guard Rachel Banham to a season-ending injury early in the season.
According to 1500 ESPN's Derek Wetmore, Gopher fans are already excited for when Banham returns next season after receiving a medical hardship waiver from the NCAA.
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