Hartford’s Jennifer Rizzotti Named USA Basketball’s 2011 National Coach Of The Year

Jan. 6, 2012 • Colorado Springs, Colo.

In recognition of an impressive, gold-medal performance at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship for Women, University of Hartford and 2011 USA U19 head coach Jennifer Rizzotti today was announced as the 2011 USA Basketball National Coach of the Year.

“It is an honor to be named the USA Basketball National Coach of the Year,” Rizzotti said. “I had a great group of players and an extremely hard working staff that deserves equal credit. Our players worked really hard in a short amount of time to become not just the best players, but the best team in the U19 Championship.  Joi Williams and Sue Semrau, my assistants, worked tirelessly to prepare for our opponents and help me keep perspective and balance throughout the tournament.”

Compiling an 8-1 record from July 21-31 in Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas, Chile, the USA women stood atop the FIBA U19 World Championship podium for a fourth straight time at the event in 2011.

“Jen’s leadership helped the USA U19 women’s team improve each and every day of training, and even during each game of the tournament. It was impressive to watch the team’s progress,” said Jim Tooley, USA Basketball Executive Director/CEO. “USA Basketball is proud to recognize her efforts, and we are grateful for her commitment and dedication.”

The U.S. opened preliminary round play with an 85-63 win over Japan, followed by a 76-53 victory against Russia and an 83-49 defeat of Argentina. In the second round, the USA downed China 80-77 and topped Italy 94-60 before falling to Canada 64-52. Rebounding with a 70-64 win over France in the quarterfinals, the USA beat Brazil 82-66 in the semifinals and Spain 69-46 in the gold medal game.

Topping opponents by an average of 16.6 ppg., the USA also built a +16.7 rebounding advantage, while the U.S. defense limited foes to just 60.2 ppg. and 33.2 percent shooting overall.

“I liked playing for coach Rizzotti because she was always intense and into the games, and even in practice she was intense,” said USA U19 team member Breanna Stewart (Cicero-North Syracuse H.S./North Syracuse, N.Y), who, along with the USA’s Ariel Massengale (Bolingbrook H.S./Bolingbrook, Ill.) was named to the five-person All-FIBA U19 World Championship Team. “I think she wanted to get the best out of us in the little time that we had together, and I really enjoyed playing for her.”

Among the 16-team field in the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship, the U.S. ranked first in eight of 15 major team statistical categories, including points averaged (76.8 ppg.); scoring margin (+16.6 ppg.); rebounding margin (+16.7 rpg.); field goal percentage (.430); assists (16.9 apg.); blocked shots (3.9 bpg.); offensive rebounds (17.1 rpg.); and defensive rebounds (33.8 rpg.).

In addition to Stewart and Massengale, representing the United States at the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women were: Jordan Adams (Mater Dei H.S./Irvine, Calif.); Cierra Burdick (Butler H.S./ Matthews, N.C.); Diamond DeShields (Norcross H.S./Norcross, Ga.); Stefanie Dolson (Connecticut/Port Jervis, N.Y.); Bria Hartley (Connecticut/North Babylon, N.Y.); Alexis Jones (Irving MacArthur H.S./Irving, Texas); Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (Mater Dei H.S./Anaheim, Calif.); Imani Stafford (Winward H.S./Los Angeles, Calif.); Morgan Tuck (Bolingbrook H.S./Bolingbrook, Ill.); and Elizabeth Williams (Princess Anne H.S./Virginia Beach, Va.). Serving as assistant coaches were Sue Semrau (Florida State) and Joi Williams (Central Florida).

USA Basketball’s National Coach of the Year award was established in 1996 to recognize a USA Basketball head coach who, during the year of the award, made significant impact on the success of individual athlete and team performance at the highest level of competition. The USA Basketball Board of Directors is responsible for selecting USA Basketball’s annual coach, player and team of the year awards.

Previous winners include: Geno Auriemma (2010), Mike Krzyzewski (2010, 2008, 2007, 2006), Jamie Dixon (2009), Anne Donovan (2008, 2007), Gail Goestenkors (2005), Van Chancellor (2004, 2002), Larry Brown (2003, 1999), Jim Boeheim (2001), Nell Fortner (2000), Clem Haskins (1998), Mo McHone (1997) and Tara VanDerveer (1996).
           
About USA Basketball
Based in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA Basketball is a nonprofit organization and the national governing body for men's and women's basketball in the United States. As the recognized governing body for basketball in the United States by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), USA Basketball is responsible for the selection, training and fielding of USA teams that compete in FIBA sponsored international basketball competitions, as well as for some national competitions.

Since 2008, USA Basketball men’s and women’s teams have compiled a sterling 134-6 win-loss record in FIBA or FIBA Americas competitions. USA teams are the current men’s and women’s champions of the Olympics and the FIBA World Championships; FIBA women’s U19 world champions;  the men’s and women’s title holders for the FIBA U17 World Championships; and the men’s and women’s U18 and U16 FIBA Americas champions. USA Basketball currently ranks No. 1 in all five of FIBA's world ranking categories, including combined, men's, women's, boys and girls.

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