Griner, McGraw are AP player and coach of the entire year

NEW ORLEANS (AP) a' Brittney Griner has already established no equal in her outstanding career at Baylor. Now she's part of a very select group. The 6-foot-8 elderly star acquired The Associated Press player of the year award for the second straight time Saturday. Notre Dame's Muffet McGraw was selected coach of the season. Griner is merely the third person to earn the honor in successive years, joining Seimone Augustus of LSU and Chamique Holdsclaw of Tennessee. Connecticut's Maya Moore won it twice in a three-year course. "Those names are pretty big; to possess my name in there is definitely an honor," Griner said. The three-time All-American got 37 votes from the 40-member national media screen that decides the regular Top 25. Stanford's Chiney Ogwumike received two votes while Notre Dame's Skylar Diggins acquired the other. Griner served hand McGraw's group its only loss in the growing season in early December. The Irish haven't lost because, winning a school history 30 straight games. Maybe not detrimental to a team that finished three beginners from last period. "I think she's among the most readily useful players to perform the game," McGraw said. "She positively is a huge really dominating presence in most way." McGraw, who also won the prize in 2001, received 24 votes. She did certainly one of her best teaching jobs this season, having the Irish back once again to the Last Four for a third straight season. "She is well deserving of the award in 2013 with what we lost," Diggins said. "To keep us winning like this which means a whole lot. She's an excellent person and knows how exactly to gain and stimulate her players to give their all for her. When you've an individual who cares about you, you'll do anything." Last year's success, Griner's instructor Kim Mulkey, was 2nd with eight votes. Cal coach Lindsay Gottlieb, who guided the Golden Bears with their first Final Four, was next. "It is unquestionably a respect and really a staff award," McGraw said. "I got the most effective team in women's basketball and we certainly are a great team." McGraw, who also won the prize in 2001, became the 2nd coach to win it multiple times. She joined UConn's Geno Auriemma a' an eight time receiver. Griner averaged 23.8 things, 9.4 boards and 4.1 prevents this season. Percent was shot 61 by her from the subject and 71 percent from the free throw line. She actually appeared to be having much more fun on the court in 2013. Griner had 11 dunks, including three against Florida State in the second round of the NCAA tournament. She finished her job with 18; only six other women have actually dunked in a school game and the party had 15 combined. Her college career ended earlier than expected, although, after Baylor dropped to Louisville in the NCAA tournament local semifinals. Griner was the next all-time scorer in women's NCAA record, with 3,283 things. She is the most effective shot blocker ever, breaking both the men's and women's college marks with 748. Her play has attracted the praise of LeBron James. "She is ruling that game, the women's side of the game," he explained. "There is actually no-one that will fit her right now." Etc Follow Doug on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/dougfeinberg

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