March 8, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. - After leading the Redbirds to their first 20-win season since the 1989-90 campaign, Illinois State sophomore point guard Kristi Cirone was named the Jackie Stiles Player of the Year by the Missouri Valley Conference's head coaches and media representatives, the league office announced Thursday. Cirone is just the third player in Redbird history to claim the annual honor. Susan Wellman captured Player of the Year accolades following the 1987-88 season, and Pam Tanner claimed the award for the 1988-89 campaign.
The award, which was announced in conjunction with this week's State Farm MVC Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa, caps off an award-filled week for Cirone, as she was named to the Valley's First-Team, and also received an all-defensive team nod. The Chicago native is just the fourth sophomore in league (Gateway and MVC) history to claim the Valley's top individual honor.
"When Kristi committed to Illinois State, we knew we were getting a very special player," said ISU head coach Robin Pingeton. "She had a great freshman year, but she and I talked at the end of last season about what she could improve upon to become one of the better players in this league. She worked extremely hard in the off-season, and that translated into just a tremendous sophomore season. Kristi has high aspirations for herself and this program, and she has worked very hard to get to where she is at. She deserves all the credit."
Cirone, the 2006 MVC Freshman of the Year, led the Valley in scoring in conference play this season, averaging 19.3 points per MVC contest. She scored in double figures in all but one conference game, and poured in 20 or more points 12 times. Cirone also ranked in the top-10 of the Valley in three-point field goal percentage and three-point field goals made in conference play.
While Cirone became one of the league's most dominant scorers this season, her ability to run the Illinois State offense may have been her most impressive attribute. Cirone's 5.79 assists per game led the league, and she also paced the Valley with a stellar 2.17 assist/turnover ratio in conference play. She recorded 10 games with eight or more assists, including a flawless 10-assist, zero turnover effort against Miami (Ohio) on Dec. 9, 2006, becoming just the second player in ISU history to accomplish the feat. Cirone's career 1.90 assist/turnover ratio is the top mark in Illinois State history.
"Kristi is willing to do whatever it takes to help our team on any given night," Pingeton said. "If that means she has to put our team on her back and score points, she'll do that. But more importantly, if we need her to be a little less aggressive on the offensive end and distribute the ball, she can make that adjustment. She has great court awareness and plays extremely unselfish."
Cirone was also one of the Valley's most tenacious defenders. She ranked fourth in the league in steals per game (1.94) in conference play while often guarding the opposing teams' most versatile player. She tallied five individual contests this season in which she recorded four or more steals. Cirone spearheaded a defensive effort that ranked Illinois State second overall in the league in defensive field goal percentage (.414).
Cirone claimed two Valley Player of the Week plaudits this season, and was named to the league's scholar-athlete second team Monday.
"The thing that is most exciting is that Kristi will continue to improve," Pingeton said. "She took a huge step last year in the off-season, but she would be the first to tell you that she can get better and still has more in the tank. She's hungry, and is willing to pay the price to continue to build this program. This summer will be a big off-season for Kristi, because our team has just begun to scratch the surface on what we want to accomplish, and it all starts with her."
The Redbird basketball team will begin play in the State Farm MVC Tournament Friday against either No. 7 Bradley or tenth-seeded Missouri State. Tip-off from the Knapp Center is set for 6:05 p.m.
