Despite posting one of the worst seasons in the history of Ducks basketball, freshman star Jillian Alleyne found a way to remain positive and shine on the national scene. Finishing with a team high average of 13.0 points, 11.9 rebounds and an impressive 1.3 blocks per game, Alleyne had herself one of the best freshman seasons in Pac-12 history.
Even after the season ended, the accolades continue to roll in. Alleyne recently accepted an invitation from the USA Basketball Junior National Team Committee for the upcoming 2013 USA Basketball Women’s U19 World Championship Team Trials, which will be held May 16-19 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Alleyne is one of 34 invitees that will be vying to make the USA U19 National team and will be competing alongside Jordan Adams (USC) and Lia Galdeira (Washington State) who are both from the Pac-12.
The ultimate goal for Alleyne is to compete in the upcoming 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship, hosted by Lithuania from July 18-28 in Klaipeda and Panevėžys, where the USA team will be looking for their fifth consecutive gold medal, but even if Alleyne falls short, it is a great time to reflect on her spectacular freshman season.
Alleyne finished the season as the highest ranked freshman in regards to rebounding average and also tied for seventh in the nation overall. Her 370 rebounds ranks second all-time behind former Oregon coach, Bev Smith.
In regards to the Pac-12, Alleyne finished second in rebounding behind Stanford’s Chiney Ogwumike, Pac-12 Freshman of the year, who posted a rebounding average of 12.9 rebounds per game. Alleyne Joins Ogwumike on the Pac-12’s All-Freshman Team.
Most memorable is her historical night against Portland State, where she broke both the school and Pac-12 rebounding record and tying the school record for points in a single game with 38 points and 27 rebounds.
Alleyne has proven that she is among the best low post players in the nation and, being a freshman, still has three years to make her mark in the record book.