University Park, Pa. -- Former Penn State women's basketball standout Kelly Mazzante will be part of the NCAA 2005 Honors program that ESPN2 is airing this afternoon (Feb. 2) at 2 p.m. EST.
Mazzante will be included in the show for winning the prestigious Top VIII Award, given annually to eight student-athletes from all sports and all divisions who excel in athletics, academic achievement, character and leadership. Mazzante received the award on Jan. 9 at a banquet held during the NCAA Convention in Grapevine, Texas.
While at Penn State, Mazzante re-wrote the Penn State record books, setting new marks for single game scoring (49 points), season (872) and career (2,919). All are Big Ten records, while her career mark is tops among both men and women. Mazzante led the Lady Lions to back-to-back Big Ten Championships in 2003 and 2004, and three straight Sweet Sixteen appearances in 2002, 2003 and 2004, while helping Penn State to an Elite Eight finish last year.
Twice the Big Ten Player of the Year, Mazzante was also a three-time Kodak All-American, joining just 19 other greats to accomplish that feat. A National Freshman of the Year, Mazzante led the nation in scoring her sophomore year, and led the Big Ten in scoring each of her first three years, averaging 21.9 ppg over her career. For her exploits in 2004, the Big Ten honored her with its famed Suzie Favor Big Ten Female-Athlete of the Year Award.
But Mazzante's brilliance was not limited to the basketball court. An advertising-PR major, she graduated in December, 2004 with academic accolades, as well. Last year she was selected a CoSIDA first-team Academic All-American, and won the prestigious Academic All-American of the Year Award. A three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Mazzante was also a second-team Academic All-American her junior team, while snagging third-team honors her sophomore season.
Mazzante was also active in the community during her time in Happy Valley, volunteering at such events as United Way Day of Caring, Special Olympics and Easter Seals.
Mazzante, a native of Williamsport, Pa. was the No. 18 overall pick in the 2004 WNBA draft, and plays for the Charlotte Sting.