March 2, 2009
CLEMSON, SC – Clemson women’s basketball player Lele Hardy was named to the 2009 All-ACC Third Team, as voted on by the 45 members of the ACC’s Blue Ribbon Panel and announced by the conference office on Monday afternoon. With the selection, Hardy becomes the first Lady Tiger to earn all-conference accolades since Lakeia Stokes was a first-team selection in 2004.
Hardy leads Clemson in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals and ranks among the best the in the league as well. The 5’10” junior from Spartanburg, SC is averaging 16.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game to rank fifth and third, respectively. Her 3.2 steals per game is second-best in the ACC and seventh nationally. Hardy’s 94 steals this year rank fourth all-time for a single season and trail her own mark of 98 from the 2006-07 season for second place.
“I am really happy that people recognized the year that Lele Hardy had,” said Clemson Head Coach Cristy McKinney. “She worked hard in the off-season to improve and was a very consistent performer for the Lady Tigers all year. She has become a complete player and she knows that she can continue to improve. I am excited that we will have her for another year.”
Hardy also leads the conference in defensive rebounding with 6.0 per game. She has nearly doubled her scoring average from a season ago while also improving in nearly every other statistical category. Hardy scored her 1,000th career point in January to become just the 21st player in school history to reach the milestone. She currently ranks 17th all-time for points scored and has moved into third place for career steals with 276.
Overall, Florida State and North Carolina had three players named to the 2009 All-ACC teams. Maryland and Virginia had two apiece, while Duke, NC State, Boston College, Clemson and Georgia Tech each saw one player honored.
The 2009 All-ACC women’s teams, as voted on by 45 members of the Blue Ribbon Panel:
First Team Chante Black, Duke Marissa Coleman, Maryland Lyndra Littles, Virginia Kristi Toliver, Maryland Monica Wright, Virginia
Second Team Jessica Breland, North Carolina Shayla Fields, NC State Rashanda McCants, North Carolina Jacinta Monroe, Florida State Carolyn Swords, Boston College
Third Team Cetera DeGraffenreid, North Carolina Tanae Davis-Cain, Florida State Mara Freshour, Florida StateLele Hardy, Clemson Alex Montgomery, Georgia Tech
Honorable Mention Shenise Johnson, Miami Aisha Mohammed, Virginia Mickel Picco, Boston College Alex Tchangoue, Wake Forest Abby Waner, Duke
April 17, 2024
