Alana Beard
Encyclopedia
Alana Monique Beard is a professional basketball player for the Washington Mystics
of the WNBA
. She was the first Duke women's basketball player to have her jersey number (20) retired. She resides in the Washington, DC area, where she is founder and President of the Alana Beard Foundation. The foundation currently sponsors 7 AAU teams. Six teams are located in Maryland called Alana Beard's Future and one team in Shreveport, Louisiana called the Southern Mystics.
All-American. She participated in the 2000 WBCA High School All-America Game, where she scored fifteen points.
, then at Duke University
, successfully recruited Beard. During her four years, she set a school scoring record of 2,687 points. Beard is the first NCAA basketball player to amass over 2,600 points, 500 assist and 400 steals. During the four years Beard played for Duke, the team won four regular season and tournaments championships. Beard helped Duke reach the Final Four twice in her career. In her senior year, the team achieved the first ever number one ranking in the final AP poll of the year.
halfway through the season. They lost to the Connecticut Sun
in the first round of the playoffs.
At present she is recovering from an ankle tendon, Achilles, injury. http://www.wnba.com/mystics/news/alana_beards_road_recovery_2010_05_07.html
Beard was one of twenty players named to the national team pool. Twelve of this group will be chosen to represent the USA in the 2010 World Championships and the 2012 Olympics.
Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'...
of the WNBA
Women's National Basketball Association
The Women's National Basketball Association is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. It currently is composed of twelve teams. The league was founded on April 24, 1996 as the women's counterpart to the National Basketball Association...
. She was the first Duke women's basketball player to have her jersey number (20) retired. She resides in the Washington, DC area, where she is founder and President of the Alana Beard Foundation. The foundation currently sponsors 7 AAU teams. Six teams are located in Maryland called Alana Beard's Future and one team in Shreveport, Louisiana called the Southern Mystics.
High school
Beard played for Southwood High School in Shreveport, Louisiana, where she led her team to four consecutive state titles. The team compiled a record of 144–6 while she was on the team. She scored 2,646 points during her four years, and finished her high school career with 53 consecutive victories. Beard was named a WBCAWomen's Basketball Coaches Association
The Women's Basketball Coaches Association is an association of coaches of women's basketball teams at all levels.The organization was formed in 1981, with the goal of addressing the needs of women's basketball coaches.The mission of the WBCA is:...
All-American. She participated in the 2000 WBCA High School All-America Game, where she scored fifteen points.
College
Coach Gail GoestenkorsGail Goestenkors
Gail Ann Goestenkors , is the women's basketball head coach for The University of Texas, having accepted the position on April 3, 2007, replacing the legendary Jody Conradt. Goestenkors was the Duke University women's basketball head coach from 1992–2007...
, then at Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
, successfully recruited Beard. During her four years, she set a school scoring record of 2,687 points. Beard is the first NCAA basketball player to amass over 2,600 points, 500 assist and 400 steals. During the four years Beard played for Duke, the team won four regular season and tournaments championships. Beard helped Duke reach the Final Four twice in her career. In her senior year, the team achieved the first ever number one ranking in the final AP poll of the year.
WNBA career
Beard was drafted in 2004 with the 2nd overall pick. In her rookie season, she led the Mystics to the playoffs, despite the loss of star Chamique HoldsclawChamique Holdsclaw
Chamique Shaunta Holdsclaw is a professional basketball player in the Women's National Basketball Association most recently under a contract with the San Antonio Silver Stars...
halfway through the season. They lost to the Connecticut Sun
Connecticut Sun
The Connecticut Sun is a professional basketball team based in Uncasville, Connecticut, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded in Orlando, Florida before the 1999 season began; the team moved to Connecticut before the 2003 season...
in the first round of the playoffs.
At present she is recovering from an ankle tendon, Achilles, injury. http://www.wnba.com/mystics/news/alana_beards_road_recovery_2010_05_07.html
International
Beard was invited to the USA Basketball Women's National Team training camp in the fall of 2009. The team selected to play for the 2010 FIBA World Championship and the 2012 Olympics is usually chosen from these participants. At the conclusion of the training camp, the team will travel to Ekaterinburg, Russia, where they compete in the 2009 UMMC Ekaterinburg International Invitational.Beard was one of twenty players named to the national team pool. Twelve of this group will be chosen to represent the USA in the 2010 World Championships and the 2012 Olympics.
College
- John R. Wooden Award-Women's Basketball National Player of the YearJohn R. Wooden AwardThe John R. Wooden Award is an award given annually to the most outstanding men's and women's college basketball players. The program consists of the men's and women's Player of the Year awards, the Legends of Coaching award and recognizes the All–America Teams.The awards, given by the Los...
2004 - State Farm Wade Trophy-National Player of the Year 2004
- Associated Press -National Player of the Year 2004
- Naismith Player of the Year
- Lowe's Senior CLASS Award 2004
- United States Basketball Writers Association-National Player of the Year 2004
- Victor Award-National Player of the Year 2003
- ESPN.com-National Player of the Year 2003, 2004
- Bayer Advantage Senior Class Award 2004
- Kodak All-American 2002, 2003, 2004
- AP All-American 2002, 2003, 2004
- United States Basketball Writers Association All-America 2002, 2003, 2004
- Women's Basketball News Service All-America 2001, 2003, 2004
- Kodak/WBCA All-District II 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
- United States Basketball Writers Association National Freshman of the Year 2001
- Sports Illustrated National Freshman of the Year 2001
- Women's Basketball Journal National Freshman of the Year 2001
- CBS Sportsline National Freshman of the Year 2001
- Basketball Times Freshman All-America 2001
- WBCA Player(s) of the Year 2004
- ACC Female Athlete of the YearACC Athlete of the YearThe Atlantic Coast Conference Athlete of the Year award is given to the male and female athlete who show extraordinary talent throughout the entire season. The award is decided by members of the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association....
2003, 2004
Professional
- 2005 WNBA All-Star Team
- 2006 WNBA All-Star Team
- 2007 WNBA All-Star Team
- 2009 WNBA All-Star Selection2009 WNBA All-Star GameThe 2009 WNBA All-Star Game was played on July 25, 2009 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, home of the Connecticut Sun. The game was the 9th annual WNBA All-Star Game...