Unfortunately for the other seven Ivy League programs, it’s just the beginning for Penn's Alyssa Baron.
The guard was named the Ivy League Rookie of the Year on Thursday after an outstanding freshman campaign.
“It’s definitely a big honor,” Baron said. "It’s exciting. For me, it’s a great accomplishment.”
In addition to the award, Baron captured the Ivy scoring title, averaging 16.6 points per game over the course of the season. She was also an honorable mention to the all-Ivy team.
Baron is the first freshman Ivy scoring champ in 33 years and only the second Rookie of the Year for Penn in program history.
The last player to take home the scoring title for Penn was Carrie Biemer, who in 2008-09 averaged 18.1 points per game during her senior year. Biemer now plays professionally in Germany.
“I do see the sky being the limit for her,” coach Mike McLaughlin said. “I do think this is hopefully just one step in her development as a player.
Even before the season started, Baron had her eyes on this particular prize.
“The coaches gave each player a sheet to fill out that was basically like your goals for the year,” Baron said. “One of my goals was to get Rookie of the Year.”
As for her coach, he couldn’t have known exactly what kind of an impact Baron would have. “At all these schools [in the Ivy League], the kids coming in are all highly touted … they all had very good high school careers,” McLaughlin said.
As for recruits and future Quakers, the coach had this to say: “I think we can only hope that someone impacts us just like Alyssa did.”
