One of the nation’s finest: AP names Kentucky’s Rhyne Howard First Team All-American

University of Kentucky guard Rhyne Howard burst on the scene a year ago as a unanimous choice for national freshman of the year.

More national recognition came Howard’s way on Thursday.

The Wildcats sophomore was named a First Team All-American by The Associated Press, the first time a UK player has been so honored since the AP began naming women’s teams in 1994-95.

Howard, who was named Southeastern Conference Player of the Year by the league’s coaches earlier this month, led the league in scoring and ranked second nationally at 23.4 points per game.

Howard was joined on the five-member First Team by Oregon seniors Sabrina Ionescu and Ruthy Hebard, Baylor senior Lauren Cox and UConn junior Megan Walker.

“Rhyne is the definition of an All-American and one of those rare players that impacts the game in absolutely every statistical category . She’s so much more than a prolific scorer,” Kentucky Coach Matthew Mitchell said. “She has zero weaknesses which makes her the most dynamic player in college basketball.”

A 6-foot-2 guard from Cleveland, Tennessee, Howard also earned All-SEC First Team and All-Defensive Team recognition after leading the Wildcats (22-8) to a third-place finish in the SEC regular season.

Howard put up impressive numbers despite missing time because of a broken finger and battling its effects even after her return. She also led UK with 6.5 rebounds per game and 62 steals, while she was second on the team with 29 blocks and third with 66 assists. Howard made 84 three-pointers this season, besting a UK single-season record that stood since 2005.

Only Stella Johnson of Rider (24.8 points per game) posted a higher scoring average nationally than Howard this season.

Howard becomes the fifth Kentucky player in program history to earn First Team All-America honors from a major organization, joining Pam Browning (1977, Street and Smith’s), Valerie Still (1981, 82, 83, Street and Smith’s), Victoria Dunlap (2010, USBWA and WBCA) and A’dia Mathies (2012, USBWA). Howard became the 11th All-America honoree in program history last season when she earned All-America honorable mention by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association.

Oregon’s Ionescu became the eighth player in women’s basketball history to earn First Team honors three times.

Baylor’s Brittney Griner, Tennessee’s Chamique Holdsclaw, Duke’s Alana Beard, Oklahoma’s Courtney Paris, South Carolina’s A’Ja Wilson and UConn’s Breanna Stewart and Maya Moore are the only other players to earn First Team honors at least three times. Paris and Moore were All-Americans all four years.

The AP Second Team included Satou Sabally of Oregon, Aliyah Boston of South Carolina, Chennedy Carter of Texas A&M, Aari McDonald of Arizona and Dana Evans of Louisville.

The third team was Ty Harris of South Carolina, Michaela Onyenwere of UCLA, Kathleen Doyle of Iowa, Elissa Cunane of North Carolina State and Kaila Charles of Maryland.

This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 12:16 PM.