Samuelson selected as AAC Player of the Year

UNCASVILLE — It’s easy to look at Katie Lou Samuelson’s team-leading 18.3 point per game scoring average or her nationleading 49 percent mark from 3-point range and not realize what a challenging season it has been for the junior All-American.

The black eye that she played with earlier in the season had long since vanished by the time she stepped to the front of the room at the Cabaret Theatre on Saturday morning to accept the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year award.

Samuelson also dealt with a troublesome ankle injury that forced her to miss five games during the regular season and was limited in several others. Despite those setbacks, she still had a body of work that resulted in her being the only unanimous selection to the All-AAC team.

“Mentally I have been able to keep my mind right and that has really helped me,” Samuelson said.

Samuelson understands that limiting her touches from the perimeter is at the top of the defensive scouting report for every team UConn has played this season. Teams may push the envelope, bump the 6-foot-3 junior when she attempts to cut across the lane and grab an arm as she looks to get open.

“If I am not willing to do that, I am going to get shut down and I am not going to be able to play here,” Samuelson said. “It is one of those things that you have to do it or just sit down. I have tried to do whatever I can.”

Samuelson is closing in

Associated Press file photo UConn’s Katie Lou Samelson was named the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year.