Crown her.
That is the message the University of Kentucky women’s basketball team and many others are echoing about junior guard Rhyne Howard.
Howard’s ability to change the game in every way possible has earned the Chattanooga native and former Bradley Central star her second straight Southeastern Conference Player of the Year award.
“Growing up I never thought I would do all that I have so far. I just go out there and play at my own pace and stay true to my game,” said Howard, who was tabbed as the best player in all of college basketball by ESPN.com in January.
“I have the greatest support and am so appreciative of everyone around me. I truly believe I can be one of the best players of all-time and feel I can prove myself even more and reach that level of greatness in basketball. I just have to keep working hard and not settle for anything less.”
Howard and the 17th-ranked Lady Wildcats (16-7) are locked in as they flew in to Greenville, South Carolina Tuesday night ahead of the SEC women’s basketball tournament which begins Thursday for Kyra Elzy’s squad.
On Tuesday, Howard was also announced as one of 11 semifinalists for the Naismith Women’s Player of the Year award.
In 20 games this season the 6-foot-2 playmaker has dominated the floor, averaging 19.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.4 steals and 0.8 blocks. She is a 38-percent career 3-point shooter and has scored 25 points or more in 23 of her 79 career starts.
She became the 11th player in SEC women’s basketball history to win the conference Player of the Year award twice and could tie the all-time record of three by South Carolina legend A’ja Wilson in her final season next year. Howard has goals to cut down several championship nets before potentially becoming the first overall pick of the WNBA Draft in 2022.
“Over the years I have continued to work on my game and try to add to it in every way I can,” Howard said. “I am very focused and have great coaches and teammates pushing me. My basketball IQ and knowing what is coming before it happens along with my ability to get to the rim and finish with contact have helped me be dominant too I feel.”
Howard is not the only former local standout and Tennessee Miss Basketball winner to enjoy success on the SEC stage.
Mississippi State freshman guard Madison Hayes was selected as part of the SEC All-Freshman team Tuesday. The 6-foot-2 Hayes has earned her spot in the starting lineup and averaged 4.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 43-percent from the field and 36-percent from 3-point range. The East Hamilton High School product also had a two-block performance against Auburn and had four steals against Ole Miss.
“Rhyne has definitely set the way,” Hayes said. “She has really shined. We knew growing up we were going to do something in basketball wherever we went. It’s all about working hard and doing whatever we have to do to help our team win. We are both lucky to be in great spots right now.”
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.