April 1, 2006

BOSTON - North Carolina junior Ivory Latta has been named to the NCAA Division I Kodak/WBCA All-America Basketball Team, announced on Saturday by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and Eastman Kodak Company. Latta, a point guard from McConnells, S.C., is the fifth UNC player to win the award, the first since two-time honoree Tracy Reid in 1998.

As part of the 10-member team, Latta was recognized at a press conference Saturday morning in Boston, where the Tar Heels are preparing to compete in the Final Four. Top-ranked and top-seeded UNC (33-1) meets Maryland Sunday at 7 p.m. in a national semifinal game at the TD Banknorth Garden.

Latta was one of two Atlantic Coast Conference players named to the team, joining Duke's Monique Currie, who earned the honor for the second year in a row. Also honored were Seimone Augustus (LSU, Sr.), Jessica Davenport (Ohio State, Jr.), Tasha Humphrey (Georgia, Soph.), Courtney Paris (Oklahoma, Fr.), Candace Parker (Tennessee, Fr.), Cappie Pondexter (Rutgers, Sr.), Candice Wiggins (Stanford, So.) and Sophia Young (Baylor, Sr.). Augustus was announced as the recipient of the Wade Trophy as player of the year. She is the second two-time winner in the history of the award.

"These ten players have proven themselves both on and off the court during the 2005-2006 season," said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. "The WBCA is pleased to honor such fine student-athletes and we look forward to watching their future in women's basketball continue to unfold."

This year's team marks the 32nd year of the longest running sponsorship in women's athletics. Selection committees in each of the eight WBCA geographical regions select ten of the top women's basketball players in the nation to be honored.

"For the past 32 years, Kodak has partnered with the WBCA to celebrate the best in women's college basketball. Kodak is in the business of helping people capture and share memories. It is gratifying for us to help honor these student-athletes whose highlights have thrilled us for so many years," said Greg Walker, Director and Vice President, Brand and Market Development at Kodak. "We are proud to recognize the accomplishments of these young women and the positive recognition they bring to their schools, their communities and the game."

UNC sophomore Erlana Larkins was one of 48 region finalists for the award.

Saturday's award is one of many that Latta has earned this season. UNC's leader in scoring (18.6 points per game) and assists (5.2 per game), she has been named national player of the year by ESPN.com and Friday was announced as the winner of the Nancy Lieberman Award as the nation's top point guard. Latta was the ACC Player of the Year, as well as the ACC Tournament MVP.