The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Childress and Kuzmanic Selected to Preseason All-Conference Team
10/17/2018 12:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
IRVING, Texas – First-Team All-Conference USA selections from a season ago, Deanna Kuzmanic and Rachael Childress have been selected to the 2018-19 Preseason All-C-USA Team, the league office announced on Wednesday.
The duo played an integral role in leading UAB to its first C-USA Regular Season Title in program history, while also helping the Blazers set program records for wins (27), C-USA wins (13), 3-point field goal percentage (.376), 3-point field goals made (267) and assists (590).
"What a great recognition for Deanna and Rachael to have been chosen to the C-USA preseason team, especially with so many great players in our league," head coach Randy Norton said. "Both played a large part of our team's success last season. They are champions in everything they do, as they pursue excellence in all areas of their life. They have committed to getting in the gym as they continue to work on their game. Although they are outstanding players in their own right, what is most important is our team's success."
Kuzmanic started all 34 games last season and led the Blazers in scoring, averaging 13.9 points per contest. She netted a career-best 35 points against Louisiana Tech as she became the 28th member of UAB's 1,000 point club. The Mount Prospect, Ill., native ranked third on the team in 3-point field goal percentage, shooting 39.8 percent (63-162) as she helped the Blazers set the program record for 3-pointers made in a season. The senior enters this season ranking 23rd overall in program history for points scored with 1,116.
Childress set the program record for 3-pointers made in a season as she drained 107 on the year, including a career-high eight at UTEP that helped UAB set the school record for 3-pointers made in a game with 17. She shot 43.3 percent from the field overall, the best mark in C-USA and 12th overall in the NCAA. The Moulton, Ala., native enters the season with 202 triples and ranks third all-time in the career record book.
2018-19 C-USA Women's Basketball Preseason Team
Laia Raventos, Charlotte, Sr.
Kierra Anthony, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
Alex Johnson, Middle Tennessee, Sr.
Terriell Bradley, North Texas, Sr.
* Erica Ogwumike, Rice, Jr.
Shonte Hailes, Southern Miss, Jr.
Deanna Kuzmanic, UAB, Sr.
Rachael Childress, UAB, Jr.
* C-USA Preseason Player of the Year
Fans can get their first look at the 2018-19 team and honor last season's squad at the Hoops Tipoff Event on Thursday, Oct. 18. The championship banner will be revealed at halftime of the men's exhibition game against Georgia.
Season tickets to all 16 of the Blazers' home games can be purchased for $65. By purchasing a season ticket, fans will receive admission into every home men's soccer, women's soccer, volleyball, baseball and softball game for the entire 2018-19 season. Contact the UAB Ticket Office, (205) 975-UAB1, for more details.
For more information on the UAB women's basketball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_WBB), on Instagram (UAB_WBBALL) or like them on Facebook (Facebook.com/UABWBB).
The duo played an integral role in leading UAB to its first C-USA Regular Season Title in program history, while also helping the Blazers set program records for wins (27), C-USA wins (13), 3-point field goal percentage (.376), 3-point field goals made (267) and assists (590).
"What a great recognition for Deanna and Rachael to have been chosen to the C-USA preseason team, especially with so many great players in our league," head coach Randy Norton said. "Both played a large part of our team's success last season. They are champions in everything they do, as they pursue excellence in all areas of their life. They have committed to getting in the gym as they continue to work on their game. Although they are outstanding players in their own right, what is most important is our team's success."
Kuzmanic started all 34 games last season and led the Blazers in scoring, averaging 13.9 points per contest. She netted a career-best 35 points against Louisiana Tech as she became the 28th member of UAB's 1,000 point club. The Mount Prospect, Ill., native ranked third on the team in 3-point field goal percentage, shooting 39.8 percent (63-162) as she helped the Blazers set the program record for 3-pointers made in a season. The senior enters this season ranking 23rd overall in program history for points scored with 1,116.
Childress set the program record for 3-pointers made in a season as she drained 107 on the year, including a career-high eight at UTEP that helped UAB set the school record for 3-pointers made in a game with 17. She shot 43.3 percent from the field overall, the best mark in C-USA and 12th overall in the NCAA. The Moulton, Ala., native enters the season with 202 triples and ranks third all-time in the career record book.
2018-19 C-USA Women's Basketball Preseason Team
Laia Raventos, Charlotte, Sr.
Kierra Anthony, Louisiana Tech, Sr.
Alex Johnson, Middle Tennessee, Sr.
Terriell Bradley, North Texas, Sr.
* Erica Ogwumike, Rice, Jr.
Shonte Hailes, Southern Miss, Jr.
Deanna Kuzmanic, UAB, Sr.
Rachael Childress, UAB, Jr.
* C-USA Preseason Player of the Year
Fans can get their first look at the 2018-19 team and honor last season's squad at the Hoops Tipoff Event on Thursday, Oct. 18. The championship banner will be revealed at halftime of the men's exhibition game against Georgia.
Season tickets to all 16 of the Blazers' home games can be purchased for $65. By purchasing a season ticket, fans will receive admission into every home men's soccer, women's soccer, volleyball, baseball and softball game for the entire 2018-19 season. Contact the UAB Ticket Office, (205) 975-UAB1, for more details.
For more information on the UAB women's basketball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_WBB), on Instagram (UAB_WBBALL) or like them on Facebook (Facebook.com/UABWBB).
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