Ann Strother

Ann Elise Strother (born December 11, 1983) is an American basketball coach, and former professional player, most recently for the Indiana Fever. Strother played at the collegiate level for the Connecticut Huskies, helping the team to two national titles.

Early life Strother spent her childhood in eastern Iowa. Her family moved to Castle Rock, Colorado when she was in 8th grade. Strother was introduced to basketball by her father Kenneth, who played at the University of Northern Iowa for a semester. She became so good at basketball that she received her first college-recruiting letter from the University of Iowa, when she was only in eighth grade. Strother was the leading scorer in the win over China, and fifth leading scorer over all, helping the US to a 6–1 record and a bronze medal. Strother became only the second high school player in USA Basketball history to receive the honor of playing for the Junior World Championship Team, the other being Lisa Leslie in 1989. Geno Auriemma coached the USA team that year. After that she decided to commit to UConn. Strother was named the Naismith High School National Player of the Year in her senior year (2002) and was the 2001-02 girls' basketball Gatorade National Player of the Year.

College

Strother was recruited by national powerhouses such as the University of Connecticut (UConn), the University of Tennessee, the University of Georgia, Stanford University, Notre Dame University, and Purdue University before ultimately committing to Connecticut. At UConn, Strother would play for future Hall of Fame inductee Geno Auriemma and alongside two-time National Player of the Year Diana Taurasi while helping Connecticut to its fourth and fifth national titles. Strother played in all 143 games of her collegiate career and started in 142. She averaged 12.9 points per game in her career and 14.0 in her senior season despite festering foot problems. Strother would eventually finish seventh all-time among UConn scorers with 1699 career points, and second all-time in career three-point field goals with 290. Strother joined some elite company when she became only the second player in UConn history to amass more than 1600 points, 600 rebounds, 400 assists, 100 steals, and 100 blocks- the other being Diana Taurasi. Strother also excelled in the classroom as she was a Dean's List student all four of her years at UConn. In December 2006, Strother graduated from UConn with a degree in psychology.

While just a freshman, Strother was invited to play on the 2003 Pan American team (along with freshman classmate Barbara Turner. The young team would earn a silver medal, going 5–2, both losses to gold medal winner Cuba. Strother started six of seven games, and averaged 7.9 points per games, fifth best on her team.

Career statistics WNBA career statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

College career statistics Ann Strother Statistics at University of Connecticut Year G FG FGA PCT 3FG 3FGA PCT FT FTA PCT REB AVG A TO B S MIN PTS AVG 2002–03 38 137 330 0.415 58 156 0.372 52 64 0.813 173 4.6 117 89 26 24 1196 384 10.0 2003–04 35 139 318 0.437 61 161 0.379 45 57 0.789 150 4.3 82 59 27 30 1019 384 11.0 2004–05 33 144 344 0.419 85 218 0.390 54 76 0.711 110 3.3 106 70 32 28 1030 427 12.9 2005–06 37 182 427 0.426 86 235 0.366 54 66 0.818 181 4.9 113 84 35 37 1205 504 13.6 Totals 143 602 1419 0.424 290 770 0.377 205 263 0.779 614 4.3 418 302 120 119 4450 1699 11.9

Notable performances March 7, 2006 - scored 20 points in UConn's 50–44 victory over West Virginia to capture the Big East Championship crown; was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player January 7, 2006 - scored a game-high 25 points, including 5 three-pointers, in UConn's 89–80 loss to Tennessee; fouled out for the first time in her career in the final minute, to the delight of Tennessee fans December 8, 2006 - had 24 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and three blocks in UConn's 72–56 victory over Villanova March 8, 2005 - scored 20 points in UConn's 67–51 victory over Rutgers to win the Big East Championship April 6, 2004 - scored 14 points, including 3 critical free throws, to help UConn edge Tennessee 71–60 in the National Championship game February 5, 2004 - recorded 17 points and 7 rebounds in UConn's 81–67 defeat of Tennessee January 30, 2004 - had a career high 27 points and added 10 rebounds to lead UConn to an 82–49 rout of St. John's, despite Taurasi's absence April 8, 2003 - scored 17 points and sank the game-clinching free throws to help UConn defeat Tennessee 73–68 in the National Championship game February 1, 2003 - recorded 17 points and 11 rebounds in UConn's 77–65 victory over then top-ranked Duke; this game marks the only time Strother was called for a technical foul: she inadvertently elbowed Duke guard Sheana Mosch November 22, 2002 - had 11 points and 11 rebounds in her first collegiate game, helping UConn defeat Wright State 85–39

Huskies of Honor induction

On December 29, 2013, the University of Connecticut inducted two women's basketball teams, the National Championship winning squads of 2002–03 and 2003–04 into the Huskies of Honor. Strother was a player for each of those two teams. Due to recurring foot pain and a Phoenix bench that was well-stocked with guards, Strother saw very little playing time in her rookie season. Strother played eight games with the Mercury as a rookie before joining the Indiana Fever in an off season trade for veteran center Olympia Scott. On February 6, 2008, Strother was selected by the Atlanta Dream in the expansion draft. She was waived by the Dream on January 14, 2009. During her stints with various WNBA teams, Strother has averaged just 2.0 points per game and 6.5 minutes per game in the WNBA over the course of her career through the end of 2008.

International She has also played professionally in Russia, and briefly in Spain.

Coaching In October 2007 Strother was hired as the director of basketball operations for the University of Colorado women's basketball team, serving under head coach Kathy McConnell–Miller.

Modeling Strother dabbled in a couple of modeling opportunities recently.

Personal In 2014, Strother married former Yale basketball standout Jason Abromaitis, brother of Notre Dame star Tim Abromaitis.