College Career
The University of Minnesota women's basketball program rose to national prominence during Whalen's college career. The average attendance at women’s basketball games grew from 1,087 during her freshman season to 9,866 her senior year. She became Minnesota’s all-time leading scorer on January 25, 2004 against Michigan State, surpassing 1994 Wade Trophy Winner Carol Ann Shudlick. Whalen finished her career with 2,285 points, fifth best in Big Ten Conference history.
Whalen holds Minnesota career records in points, scoring average, games in double figures, free throws made and free throw percentage. Whalen is also among the top ten in field goals made, field goal attempts, field goal percentage, three-pointers made, three-pointers attempted, three-point field goal percentage, free throws attempted, assists and steals. Whalen shares Minnesota’s single-game record for free throw percentage (14–14 vs. Creighton on 12/4/03) and is the only four-time team MVP in school history.
She was a two-time Wade Trophy Finalist (2003, 2004) and a two-time Naismith Award Finalist (2003, 2004). As a senior, Whalen was a Kodak All-American First Team, made the USBWA All-American Second Team, USBWA All-American Second Team and AP All-American Second Team. She was the first Golden Gopher to earn All-American honors in three different seasons and led Minnesota to its first-ever Final Four appearance in 2004, one of three straight NCAA Tournament appearances for Minnesota. The program had been to the tournament just once before her arrival.
In the postseason, Whalen was named NCAA Mideast Region MVP for the 2004 NCAA tournament and was a unanimous selection for All-Big Ten First Team in 2004, 2003 and 2002. She was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten (2004,2003,2002), won the 2004 and 2002 Fast Break Club Award. As a junior, she was a Kodak All-American First Team, USBWA All-American First Team and an AP All-American Second Team.
Whalen's jersey number 13 was retired by the University of Minnesota during a ceremony in January 2005 at Williams Arena.
Read more about this topic: Lindsay Whalen
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