LEXINGTON, Ky. — From three-pointers to three-peats, Rhyne Howard is making history yet again. The Associated Press announced on Wednesday that Howard was named a first-team AP All-American for the third time in her career.
Howard is now the ninth player in women's basketball history to earn first-team Associated Press All-America honors three times.
“That's huge. Definitely selective company. To be a three-time, and one of nine, now that's something you had to work for," Howard said to the Associated Press. "I don't know how to explain it. I was glad I was able to accomplish that.”
Howard was joined on the first team by South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston, Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, Baylor’s NaLyssa Smith, Michigan’s Naz Hillmon and Stanford’s Haley Jones.
Howard was tabbed AP First-Team All-America in 2020 and 2021 after historic seasons for the Wildcats. She is the second Kentucky women's basketball player ever to earn three first-team honors from the same organization, joining Valerie Still, who was first-team All-America by Street & Smith's in 1981, 1982 and 1983.
In 2020, Howard became the first player in program history to earn AP First-Team All-America honors since the organization started recognizing teams in 1995. That honor made Howard the fifth Kentucky player in program history to earn first-team All-America honors from a major organization.
According to UK Athletics, Howard is the only player in the nation that has over 600+ points, 200+ rebounds, 100+ assists, 70+ steals and 35+ blocks.
It has been a brilliant few weeks for Howard, who has played at an even more elite level than she previously was during Kentucky's historic 10-game winning streak. Most recently, Howard shined on the national stage in the Southeastern Conference Tournament, helping Kentucky to its first tournament title in 40 years. The guard was named the tournament's most valuable player, becoming the second player in program history to earn that honor.
“She is the most versatile player I have ever coached,” Kentucky coach Kyra Elzy said to the Associated Press. ”What sets her apart from everyone else is that she can play every position on the floor and be offensively and defensively exceptional at each.”
Other players to accomplish the three-time AP All-American feat are Oregon's Sabrina Ionescu, South Carolina's A'ja Wilson, Baylor's Brittney Griner, Tennessee's Chamique Holdsclaw, Duke's Alana Beard, Oklahoma's Courtney Paris and UConn's Breanna Stewart and Maya Moore.