March 29, 2011

LEXINGTON, Ky. — University of Kentucky senior Victoria Dunlap was one of five players chosen to the All-America Third Team by The Associated Press, the wire service announced Tuesday. Dunlap, UK’s first AP All-American, also earned third-team honors last season.

Dunlap (Nashville, Tenn.) is joined on the third team by Tennessee’s Shekinna Strickland, Miami’s Shenise Johnson, Xavier’s Ta’Shia Phillips and Notre Dame’s Skylar Diggins.

The 6-foot-1 forward, also a State Farm Coaches’ All-America Team and John R. Wooden Award finalist, was named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year by The Associated Press and SEC Defensive Player of the Year by the league coaches as one of the nation’s most versatile players. She is listed in the top half of eight SEC statistical categories, including leading the league in scoring (17.0), field-goal percentage (.458) and steals per game (3.0). She also ranks fourth in rebounds per game (8.7) and fifth in blocks (1.5) and free-throw shooting percentage (.704). She is the only player in the SEC to rank in the top five in scoring, rebounding, blocks and steals.

Dunlap scored double figures in 31 of 33 games this season, including 22 consecutive. With nine double-doubles and 12 games with 20 or more points, she helped lead the 17th-ranked Wildcats to their second straight 20-win season (25-9) and second straight NCAA appearance for the first time since the 1982-83 teams accomplished that feat.

In this year’s NCAA Tournament, Dunlap averaged a team-high 18.0 points and 8.0 rebounds in two games. She recorded her 31st career double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds in UK’s overtime win vs. Hampton in the first round and followed that performance with a game-high 23 points along with four rebounds, three steals and two blocks in the second round vs. No. 14 North Carolina. The Wildcats could not overcome a 55-31 rebounding deficit, however, eventually falling to the Tar Heels, 86-74.