Newsome’s All-America selection a first for UTM women’s program

Posted: Friday, April 5, 2013 12:00 pm

The UT Martin women’s basketball team notched a program first as junior guard Jasmine Newsome has been named by the Associated Press as All-America Honorable Mention.
The AP All-America team was announced on Tuesday afternoon.
“I’m very proud of this recognition, not only for Jasmine, but for our program and university,” UT Martin head coach Kevin McMillan said. “Jasmine is an incredible player, teammate and leader for our program. She puts her team on her back when necessary while making everyone around her better and that’s the characteristics you look for in a player. This is an accomplishment that our university and community should take pride in as we strive to make our mark on the national stage.”
Newsome, the two-time reigning Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, has the distinct honor of being the first player in UT Martin women’s basketball history to be named to the prestigious list including the nation’s premier players.
Among Newsome’s many accomplishments, she tossed in 41 points on her way to OVC Tournament MVP honors and setting the tournament record for most points scored (98, in three games) while leading the Skyhawks to the program’s third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
Newsome ranks second in UTM history in points scored, tallying 1,958 career points through just her junior campaign. She ranked fifth in the country in scoring, averaging 22.6 points per game, while posting a Skyhawk single-season record 770 points.
Her scoring output has increased every year, as she averaged 17.6 points as a freshman, 19.6 as a sophomore and poured in 22.6 points as a junior. Primarily used at the point guard position, she moved into first in school history with 508 career assists and set yet another record by converting 164 free throws this season.
The Millington native has scored double-figures in 89 of her 98 career games, including the 20-point barrier 49 different times. Newsome has gone off for 30-plus points 10 times in her career with one 40-point game to her credit.
She ranks second among OVC active players in career points (1,958), steals (238) and assists (508). Newsome was named OVC Player of the Week seven times this year, including three straight to close out the regular season.
“It’s a great honor to see my name along with some of the great players in this country,” said Newsome. “Once I really understood the accomplishment and found out I am the first player in program history to be named an All-American — that is something special that I will always be able to have. At the end of the day, I wouldn’t have gotten this great honor without playing alongside Heather Butler and the support of my teammates, coaches and family.”

Published in The WCP 4.4.13