ANN MEYERS DRYSDALE AWARD

The USBWA has named a National Women’s Player of the Year since the 1987-88 season. In 2012, the award was named after Ann Meyers Drysdale, the four-time AllAmerican at UCLA from 1975-78. She was one of the first women to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. Her career escalated women’s basketball to a new level. Meyers was the first high school player to make the United States national team and the first woman to receive a full athletic scholarship to UCLA. Her highoctane approach translated into wins and awards as she finished her stellar career at UCLA owning 12 of 13 school records.

A supremely talented all-around player with natural basketball ability and instincts, Meyers was the first player, male or female, named to the All-America team in four straight seasons. She also played on the first women’s Olympic team in 1976. After an All-America career, she became the first woman player drafted into the Women’s Basketball League and made history by becoming the first female player to try out with an NBA team, the Indiana Pacers. Meyers pushed the envelope in women’s basketball, bringing a feel and sense for the game that few players ever experience.