Born: 1974 (New Fairfield, Connecticut)
Biography:
Jennifer Marie Rizzotti (born May 15, 1974) is a retired American collegiate and professional basketball player, and former Division I coach at George Washington University. She is the president of the Connecticut Sun. Rizzotti was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.
Rizzotti attended New Fairfield High School in New Fairfield, Connecticut, where she made a name for herself on the basketball court. In honor of her achievements, the basketball court at the New Fairfield town park was named after her. She also had the opportunity to attend ASIJ in Tokyo, Japan.
From 1992 to 1996, Rizzotti starred on the women’s basketball team at the University of Connecticut. She played as the starting point guard on the Huskies’ first national championship team in 1995, which had a perfect season, winning all 35 games. Rizzotti’s picture even graced the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine in recognition of the team’s remarkable achievement.
During her time at UConn, Rizzotti received several prestigious awards and accolades. She was awarded the Honda-Broderick Cup for the 1995-96 season, which is presented to the athlete most deserving of recognition as the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. She was also named the 1996 Associated Press Player of the Year. Additionally, Rizzotti was a member of the inaugural class of inductees to the University of Connecticut women’s basketball Huskies of Honor recognition program. In the 1995-96 basketball season, she won the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award, given to the best women’s basketball player in the country under 5’6 tall. That season, Rizzotti set school records for assists with 212 and steals with 112. She graduated from UConn with a degree in biology.
Rizzotti’s success did not end in college. In 1996, she represented the United States as a member of the Jones Cup team. The team went on to win the gold medal in the event, and Rizzotti recorded the highest number of assists on the team while averaging 2.6 points per game.
After her collegiate career, Rizzotti embarked on a professional basketball journey. She played for the New England Blizzard of the American Basketball League, where she was named an All-Star twice. Rizzotti then joined the Houston Comets after being drafted in 1999. She played for the Comets in 1999 and 2000 and contributed to their success as they won the League Championship both seasons.
Awards:
– Big East Co-Rookie of the Year (1993)
– Wade Trophy (1996)
– Associated Press Women’s College Basketball Player of the Year (1996)
– Winner of the Honda Sports Award for basketball (1996)
– The Honda-Broderick Cup winner for all sports (1996)
– Inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (2013)
Jennifer Rizzotti’s achievements on and off the court have solidified her place in basketball history. Her impressive skills, accolades, and contributions to the game have made her an influential figure in women’s basketball.