Hebard third Alaska woman named First Team AP All-American
Ruthy Hebard
Ruthy Hebard of Fairbanks received arguably the most prestigious individual honor of her college basketball career after being named a First Team Associated Press All-American.
The 6-foot-4 University of Oregon senior forward was one of just five players in the entire country to make the first team, solidifying her superstar status.
Hebard led the nation with a .685 field-goal shooting percentage and averaged 17.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game for the 31-2 Ducks.
She joins Eagle River’s Kelsey Griffin (Nebraska, 2010) and Juneau’s Andrea Lloyd (Texas, 1987) as the only First Team AP All-Americans from the great state of Alaska.
Hebard, of West Valley High fame, helped lead Oregon to the Pac-12 regular-season and conference tournament championships.
She racked up 16 double-doubles, won the conference rebounding title and was named All-Pac-12 for the fourth straight year.
Hebard led Oregon with 14 games of 20 points or more and three of 30 points or more, including a season high 31 against Texas Southern.
She averaged a career-high 9.6 rebounds for the season and matched her career high with 18 rebounds against Oklahoma State.
Hebard also dished a career-high 48 assists, including twice handing out five dimes.
In the previous two seasons, Hebard had been named WBCA honorable mention All-American.