Dec. 8, 2005

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - University of Maryland forward/center Crystal Langhorne (Willingboro, N.J.) was selected by the USA Basketball Executive Committee as the USA Basketball 2005 Female Athlete of the Year for her role in leading the 2005 USA U19 World Championship Team to a dominating 8-0 performance and the gold medal at the 2005 FIBA U19 World Championship, while garnering MVP honors in the process.

"To tell you the truth, I was really shocked about the whole situation," said Langhorne. "It means so much for me to be named the women's basketball Player of the Year for the USA. So many great players have been named (USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year) in the past, which makes it an even bigger honor. There were a lot of top players this summer for USA Basketball so for (the USA Basketball Executive Committee) to name me makes it even more special for me to get this."

"Congratulations to Crystal on being named our female athlete of the year," said USA Basketball Executive Director Jim Tooley. "She gave a very impressive performance during the U19 World Championship and was recognized as the tournament's most valuable player. She is a great young talent, and I look forward to seeing her back in our uniform in years to come."

"As good as Crystal is as a player, and she's not only one of the best in the nation, but one of the best in the world, she's an even better person," said 2005 USA U19 World Championship Team and Duke University head coach Gail Goestenkors. "She is truly a joy to be around and to coach. I'm so happy for her and proud of her. She led our team this summer, she is very consistent. She has a quiet calmness about her, regardless of the game, regardless of the score. You can always count on Crystal to give a full and focused effort."

In capturing the 2005 USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year honor, Langhorne not only is eligible for the 2005 U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) Female Athlete of the Year Award which will be announced by the USOC at a later date, but she also enters into impressive company of previous USA Basketball honorees. In its 26th year, the USA Basketball Athlete of the Year has been earned by notable athletes such as Carol Blazejowski (1980), Denise Curry (1981), Cindy Noble and LaTaunya Pollard (1982), Lynette Woodard (1983), Cheryl Miller (1984, 1986), Jennifer Gillom (1985), Teresa Edwards (1987, 1990, 1996, 2000), Katrina McClain (1988, 1992), Venus Lacey (1989), Ruthie Bolton (1991), Lisa Leslie (1993, 1998, 2002), Dawn Staley (1994, 2004), Sylvia Crawley (1995), Chamique Holdsclaw (1997), Natalie Williams (1999), Ayana Walker (2001) and Seimone Augustus (2003).

As the leading scorer for the U.S. squad that upended its competition by an average of 46.3 points a game to claim the gold medal in Tunis, Tunisia, Langhorne was named the 2005 FIBA U19 World Championship MVP after averaging 16.8 ppg. and adding 6.4 rpg. She finished her stellar performance at the U19 Worlds ranked fifth among all competitors in the 12-nation field for scoring, second for field goal percentage (.775), fourth for free throw percentage (.793), tied for fifth for offensive rebounds (4.75) and tied for 15th for rebounds. Langhorne scored in double digits in all eight contests and had one double double, notching a high of 23 points against China in the semifinal contest and posting 17 points and 12 rebounds against Puerto Rico in preliminary play. She finished the competition ranked second among all-time USA U19 World Championship participants for points (133) and field goal percentage (.722) and fifth for rebounds (51).

Prior to the U19 Worlds, Langhorne aided to the U.S. squad to a 5-1 record in exhibition play, including a 4-0 slate and the gold medal against U19 squads from Australia, China and Russia at the 2005 International Sports Invitational (ISI) in San Diego. The team also went 1-1 against Hungary's U19 squad in a two-game exhibition series in Budapest.

She scored in double digits in all but one of the USA's pre-U19 Worlds contests, including a 21-point, 10-rebound outing against Australia at the ISI.

This summer was not the first time Langhorne had donned a USA jersey. A finalist for the 2004 USA Junior World Championship Qualifying Team, she was a member of the 2003 USA Youth Development Festival East Team that went 5-0 record and claimed the gold medal.

During the `03 Festival Langhorne posted a double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds, while adding three steals, in the gold medal game. She also averaged a double-double of 13.8 ppg., which ranked sixth among Festival participants, and a Festival-high 11.8 rpg.

Further, Langhorne recorded a Festival record 59 rebounds and also set a Festival single game record for shooting percentage (.889) after making 8-of-9 from the field against the South Team.

As a freshman for Maryland in 2004-05, Langhorne averaged a team second best 17.2 ppg., a team best 10.6 rpg. and shot a team leading 59.2 percent from the floor as the Terps finished with a 22-10 record and a No. 24 final ranking. She finished the season ranked 11th among all NCAA participants in rebounding and 13th in shooting percentage. For her efforts, the 6-2 Langhorne collected Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Rookie of the Year, All-ACC second team and ACC All-Rookie first team following her freshman season that saw her collect a school record five ACC Rookie of the Week honors. She then went on to earn a selection to the 2005 ACC All-Tournament first team.

USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year Award Recipients

Year     Name
2005     Crystal Langhorne

2004 Dawn Staley 2003 Seimone Augustus 2002 Lisa Leslie 2001 Ayana Walker 2000 Teresa Edwards 1999 Natalie Williams 1998 Lisa Leslie 1997 Chamique Holdsclaw 1996 Teresa Edwards 1995 Sylvia Crawley 1994 Dawn Staley 1993 Lisa Leslie 1992 Katrina McClain 1991 Ruthie Bolton 1990 Teresa Edwards 1989 Venus Lacey 1988 Katrina McClain 1987 Teresa Edwards 1986 Cheryl Miller 1985 Jennifer Gillom 1984 Cheryl Miller 1983 Lynette Woodard 1982 Cindy Noble/LaTaunya Pollard 1981 Denise Curry 1980 Carol Blazejowski