By Jason Hickman
MaxPreps.com
2006-2007 MaxPreps National Player of the Year
Maya Moore, Collins Hill High School, Ga.
Geno Auriemma has lured dozens of All-Americans to the University of Connecticut during his 22-year run in Storrs, including Sue Bird, Swin Cash, Rebecca Lobo, and Diana Taurasi.
But none of Auriemma's star pupils have entered the program with a resume quite as glittery as Collins Hill (Ga.) star Maya Moore - the 2006-2007 MaxPreps National Player of the Year.
"We have as many, if not more, impressive individuals come through this program as any place in America in the 20-plus years I have been here," Auriemma said upon signing Moore last November. "I don't think I am going out on a limb when I say that I don't think any of them came in here with more going for them then Maya does, maybe the same but not more."
Moore capped her remarkable four-year high school career by averaging 25.3 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists per game as a senior, leading the Screaming Eagles to their third-straight AAAAA state title in Georgia, as well as the No. 1 position in the MaxPreps National Rankings.
Collins Hill compiled a 123-3 overall record, including four state championship game appearances, during Moore's career.
In addition to this honor, Moore was twice named the Naismith National Player of the Year, and earned the Peach State's "Miss Basketball" title three times.
"I think with Maya Moore you are talking about somebody who as a high school player has been able to accomplish just about anything and everything that can be accomplished by a high school player," Auriemma said.
Jacki Gemelos of Stockton St. Mary's (Calif.) - now a freshman at USC - was the MaxPreps National Player of the Year a year ago after averaging 39 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game.
MaxPreps will announce its complete girls All-American team Tuesday, featuring capsules on the nation's top 75 players of the 2006-2007 season.