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LaTaunya Pollard

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Lataunya Pollard Romanazzi (born 1959 or 1960) is a former college basketball player who played for Long Beach State from 1979 to 1983. With Long Beach, Pollard scored 3,001 points and was the 1983 recipient of the Wade Trophy. During this time period, Pollard played for the American team that qualified for the 1980 Summer Olympics before the United States withdrew from the event. While on the American team, Pollard won silver 1981 World University Games and 1983 FIBA World Championship for Women. Outside of America, Pollard played basketball in Europe from 1983 to the early 1990s. Pollard was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001 and Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005.

Early life and education

In 1959 or 1960, Pollard was born in East Chicago, Indiana.[1] Growing up, Pollard tried out for a high school basketball team when she was in grade eight. Upon being chosen for the team, Pollard had to wait a year before she could play as she was under the age requirement.[2] During high school, Pollard played in 93 games and had 1,739 points.[3]

Career

In 1979, Pollard started her college basketball career with Long Beach State.[4] While playing for Long Beach until 1983, Pollard appeared in 128 games and scored 3,001 points.[5] As a senior guard, Pollard won the 1983 Wade Trophy for the best women's college basketball player.[6] During this time period, Pollard was named most valuable player at the 1979 US Olympic Festival after she scored 82 points in the event.[7][8]

In international events, Pollard scored 72 points at the 1980 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament as part of the American team that qualified for the 1980 Summer Olympics.[9] Pollard did not compete at the Olympics after the United States decided to not participate in the Games.[10] While on the United States team, Pollard won a silver medal at the 1981 World University Games and 1983 FIBA World Championship for Women. In these events, Pollard scored 106 points at the World University Games and 88 points at the FIBA World Championship.[11][12] Outside of the United States, Pollard began playing basketball in Italy in 1983 and continued to play there until 1991. While competing in Italy, Pollard consistently led in points each season include a 1985 points record of 39.5.[13][14]

Awards and honors

In 1982, Pollard was a co-recipient of the USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year award alongside Cindy Noble.[15] For hall of fames inductions, Pollard was named into the Long Beach State Hall of Fame in 1988,[16] the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001[17] and Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005.[18]

References

  1. ^ "Ninth Pan American Games -- 1983". USA Basketball. June 10, 2010. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  2. ^ Haskell, Ryann (11 January 2005). "Two of a kind enter Hall". The Times of Northwest Indiana. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  3. ^ Graves, Scott (April 25, 1979). "California State To Acquire LaTaunya Pollard". The Times. Munster, Indiana. p. 49.
  4. ^ "Pollard Scores 20 in Debut for 49ers". Los Angeles Times. 9 November 1979. Part III p. 20.
  5. ^ "Pre-NCAA Women's Basketball Records" (PDF). NCAA. p. 2. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  6. ^ "LaTaunya Pollard, a three-time All America from California State,..." UPI. 7 April 1983. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  7. ^ "Women's U.S. Olympic Festival All-Tournament Teams". USA Basketball. June 10, 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  8. ^ "Women's U.S. Olympic Festival Records". USA Basketball. June 10, 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  9. ^ "1980 Women's FIBA Olympic Qualifiying Tournament". USA Basketball. June 10, 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  10. ^ Guardabascio, Mike; Trevino, Chris (2015). Basketball in Long Beach. Charleston: History Press. p. 63. ISBN 9781609499754. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  11. ^ "Eleventh World University Games -- 1981". USA Basketball. June 10, 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  12. ^ "Ninth World Championship -- 1983". USA Basketball. June 10, 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  13. ^ Munoz, Theresa (14 July 1991). "Few Fast Breaks : Top Female Basketball Players Finally Have Choice of Viable Pro Career, but It Means Going Overseas". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  14. ^ McKee, Pat (1 May 2005). "Scoring another honor". Indianapolis Star. p. C10.
  15. ^ "USA Basketball Athlete of the Year Award". USA Basketball. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  16. ^ "LaTaunya Pollard". Long Beach State University Athletics. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  17. ^ "LaTaunya Pollard". Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  18. ^ "Lataunya Pollard Romanazzi". Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
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