How a Mercury Star Won the ACC Player of the Year
The ACC Player of the Year award is a prestigious honor, and one of its most recent recipients was Hannah Hidalgo, a standout player at Notre Dame. Hidalgo's impressive statistics included 23.8 points, 5 rebounds, 3.7 steals, and 3.6 assists per game. But what's even more remarkable is the history of this award, which dates back to 1984.
The first winner was Tresa Brown, followed by notable players like Pam Leake, Vicky Bullett, and Dawn Staley. The story takes an interesting turn when a player with ties to the Phoenix Mercury emerged as a winner. Tracy Reid, drafted by the Charlotte Sting, became the first Mercury-connected player to win the award, averaging 13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.3 steals in her rookie year.
Reid's WNBA journey continued with the Sting and the Miami Sol before she joined the Mercury. Her performance during that time was impressive, with averages of 9.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 1.2 assists.
Since Reid's win, the Mercury has continued to produce ACC Player of the Year winners. The most recent one was Alyssa Thomas, who played for Maryland and won the award three times consecutively. Thomas' college career was exceptional, with averages of 17.2 points, 8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.6 steals in her first year, 18.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.8 steals in the next, and 19.0 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.5 steals in her final season.
After her college career, Thomas embarked on a WNBA journey, being drafted by the New York Liberty and later traded to the Connecticut Sun. She became a top player and a Most Valuable Player (MVP) candidate with the Sun. Last year, Thomas joined the Mercury and made an immediate impact, averaging 16.9 points, 9 rebounds, 8.8 assists, and 1.7 steals during the team's postseason run, helping them reach the WNBA Finals.
Thomas' success at both the college and professional levels is a testament to her talent and hard work. She joins a list of Mercury players who have won the ACC Player of the Year award, including Monique Currie, Lindsey Harding, Kristi Toliver, and Monica Wright, who have made significant contributions both on and off the court.
The Mercury's success in producing ACC Player of the Year winners is a testament to the program's excellence and the talent it attracts. As the story of these players continues, fans can look forward to more exciting achievements and the potential for future Mercury stars to win this prestigious award.
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