Seimone Augustus
Encyclopedia
Seimone Augustus is an American professional basketball player in the WNBA, currently playing for the Minnesota Lynx
, WBC Spartak Moscow Region and the US national team
. A three-time all-star, Augustus has become one of the most recognizable faces in the WNBA, earning MVP
honors while leading the Lynx to the 2011 WNBA championship
.
; the daughter of Seymore and Kim Augustus.
for Women, with a headline that asked, "Is She the Next Michael Jordan
?" Augustus played for Capitol High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she was named a WBCA
All-American. She participated in the 2002 WBCA High School All-America Game where she scored fourteen points, and earned MVP honors.
During her collegiate career with the LSU Lady Tigers
, the three time All American won the Naismith College Player of the Year
, Wooden Award
and Wade Trophy
in 2005 and 2006 while leading the LSU to three straight Final Four
appearances. The Lady Tigers however, never advanced beyond the semi-final round. She averaged 19.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2 assists per game in her collegiate career. During her final year, she won the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award
, recognizing her as the nation's top senior women's basketball player. Augustus graduated from Louisiana State University
in 2006. Her uniform number (33) was retired by LSU on January 9, 2010, making her the first female athlete in school history to receive that honor.
by the Minnesota Lynx
. Selected as a reserve for the 2006 WNBA All Star Game
at Madison Square Garden
, Augustus led the West squad with 16 points and won the Skills Competition the previous evening.
Augustus finished her rookie campaign second to the Mercury
's Diana Taurasi
in scoring at 21.9 points per game, a record for a first season player. Only one player (Taurasi 2006), scored more points in a single season. In addition, she finished fifth in free throw percentage (.897). On August 20, Augustus was named the 2006 WNBA Rookie of the Year
.
The former LSU star improved to 22.6 points per game in 2007, while shooting nearly 51% from the field. An All Star for the second straight year, Augustus finished second to Seattle's Lauren Jackson
in scoring average and played in all 34 games. The Lynx however, finished 10–24 tied with Los Angeles Sparks
for the league's worst record.
, against the Phoenix Mercury
.
Augustus's return in 2010 was derailed by medical issues as well, as she was forced to undergo surgery to remove fibroid tumors, including one the size of a baby's head. Augustus had attempted to postpone surgery until after the season, but the pain was too difficult to play through. Despite the setback, Augustus returned to play the final 25 games of the season.
. Augustus led the team in scoring and served as the team's lead defender as the Lynx rolled to the best record in the WNBA and team history. Augustus also made her first all-star game since 2007. She finished eighth in MVP voting, and was named Second Team All-WNBA
for the third time in her career, and the first since 2007.
Augustus elevated her game in the playoffs
. She led the Lynx in scoring in five of their eight games, and scored the second-highest number of points in WNBA Finals
history – 36 – in game two of the 2011 WNBA Finals
. okanla ilişkisi var, and swept the Atlanta Dream
in the title round, with Augustus being unanimously named Finals MVP.
| style="text-align:left;"| 2006
| style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota
| 34 || 34 || 33.1 || .456 || .353 || .897 || 3.8 || 1.5 || 0.6 || 0.5 || 2.09 || 21.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2007
| style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota
| 34 || 33 || 32.1 || .508 || .419 || .873 || 4.0 || 2.3 || 1.2 || 0.6 || 2.44 || 22.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2008
| style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota
| 31 || 31 || 33.6 || .470 || .317 || .890 || 3.9 || 2.7 || 1.0 || 0.4 || 1.68 || 19.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2009
| style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota
| 6 || 6 || 29.7 || .570 || .643 || .905 || 4.2 || 1.5 || 2.0 || 0.5 || 2.17 || 21.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2010
| style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota
| 25 || 25 || 33.3 || .429 || .336 || .667 || 3.2 || 1.9 || 0.7 || 0.3 || 1.40 || 16.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2011
| style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota
| 34 || 34 || 29.3 || .504 || .417 || .865 || 3.5 || 2.2 || 0.9 || 0.4 || 1.32 || 16.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| Career
| style="text-align:left;"|6 years, 1 team
| 164 || 163 || 32.1 || .478 || .373 || .865 || 3.7 || 2.1 || 0.9 || 0.5 || 1.82 || 19.5
| style="text-align:left;"| 2011
| style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota
| 8 || 8 || 33.0 || .527 || .438 || .886 || 4.50 || 3.8 || 0.88 || 0.63 || 1.63 || 22.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| Career
| style="text-align:left;"|1 year, 1 team
| 8 || 8 || 33.0 || .527 || .438 || .886 || 4.50 || 3.8 || 0.88 || 0.63 || 1.63 || 22.0
club in Russia
.
During the 2008–09 WNBA offseason, Augustus played in the EuroCup
for Galatasaray
, a club based in Turkey
.
Augustus was invited to the USA Basketball Women's National Team training camp in the fall of 2009. The team selected to play for the 2010 FIBA World Championship and the 2012 Olympics is usually chosen from these participants. At the conclusion of the training camp, the team will travel to Ekaterinburg, Russia, where they compete in the 2009 UMMC Ekaterinburg International Invitational.
Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season...
, WBC Spartak Moscow Region and the US national team
United States women's national basketball team
The United States women's national basketball team are the defending Olympic champions in women's basketball. The team is composed of some of the top American players in the WNBA and the women's college game....
. A three-time all-star, Augustus has become one of the most recognizable faces in the WNBA, earning MVP
WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award
The Women's National Basketball Association Finals Most Valuable Player is an annual Women's National Basketball Association award given since the league's inaugural season....
honors while leading the Lynx to the 2011 WNBA championship
2011 WNBA Finals
The 2011 WNBA Finals was the championship series of the 2011 season of the Women's National Basketball Association , and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The Minnesota Lynx, champions of the Western Conference, swept the champions of the Eastern Conference, the Atlanta Dream in three...
.
Early life
Augustus was born in Baton Rouge, LouisianaLouisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
; the daughter of Seymore and Kim Augustus.
High school
Before her freshman year in high school, Augustus was featured on the cover of Sports IllustratedSports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
for Women, with a headline that asked, "Is She the Next Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
?" Augustus played for Capitol High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she was named a WBCA
Women's Basketball Coaches Association
The Women's Basketball Coaches Association is an association of coaches of women's basketball teams at all levels.The organization was formed in 1981, with the goal of addressing the needs of women's basketball coaches.The mission of the WBCA is:...
All-American. She participated in the 2002 WBCA High School All-America Game where she scored fourteen points, and earned MVP honors.
College years
LSU Lady Tigers basketball
The LSU Lady Tigers basketball team represents Louisiana State University in NCAA Division I women's college basketball. The team is currently coached by former UCLA head coach Nikki Caldwell, who accepted the job on April 2, 2011. Past coaches include Barbara Swanner, Jinks Coleman,...
, the three time All American won the Naismith College Player of the Year
Naismith College Player of the Year
The Naismith College Player of the Year is an annual basketball award given by the Atlanta Tipoff Club to the top men's and women's collegiate basketball players. It is named in honor of the inventor of basketball , Dr. James Naismith....
, Wooden Award
John R. Wooden Award
The John R. Wooden Award is an award given annually to the most outstanding men's and women's college basketball players. The program consists of the men's and women's Player of the Year awards, the Legends of Coaching award and recognizes the All–America Teams.The awards, given by the Los...
and Wade Trophy
Wade Trophy
The Wade Trophy is an award presented annually to the best women's basketball player in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I competition. It is named after three–time national champion Delta State University coach Lily Margaret Wade. The award debuted in 1978 as the first–ever...
in 2005 and 2006 while leading the LSU to three straight Final Four
NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Women's Division I Championship is an annual college basketball tournament for women. Held each April, the Women's Championship was inaugurated in the 1981–82 season...
appearances. The Lady Tigers however, never advanced beyond the semi-final round. She averaged 19.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2 assists per game in her collegiate career. During her final year, she won the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award
Lowe's Senior CLASS Award
The Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award is an annual college athletic award in the NCAA Division I. Qualified competitors must be seniors who have remained within their NCAA Division I college for a four-year commitment and achieved excellence in one of nine sports.....
, recognizing her as the nation's top senior women's basketball player. Augustus graduated from Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
in 2006. Her uniform number (33) was retired by LSU on January 9, 2010, making her the first female athlete in school history to receive that honor.
2006–2008: Personal Success, Team Failure
Augustus was drafted No. 1 overall in 2006 WNBA Draft2006 WNBA Draft
On November 16, 2005, the Women's National Basketball Association held an expansion draft for the Chicago Sky. It was the first expansion draft since the 2000 season, when the WNBA welcomed the Miami Sol, Portland Fire, Indiana Fever, and Seattle Storm into the league.On April 5, 2006, the WNBA...
by the Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season...
. Selected as a reserve for the 2006 WNBA All Star Game
Women's National Basketball Association All-Star Game
The Women's National Basketball Association All-Star Game, commonly referred to as the WNBA All-Star Game is an annual exhibition basketball game played in the United States between the best players of the Eastern and Western Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association...
at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
, Augustus led the West squad with 16 points and won the Skills Competition the previous evening.
Augustus finished her rookie campaign second to the Mercury
Phoenix Mercury
The Phoenix Mercury is a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the league's inaugural 1997 season began; it is one of the eight original franchises...
's Diana Taurasi
Diana Taurasi
Diana Lorena Taurasi is a professional basketball player who plays for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA and Galatasaray Medical Park from Turkey...
in scoring at 21.9 points per game, a record for a first season player. Only one player (Taurasi 2006), scored more points in a single season. In addition, she finished fifth in free throw percentage (.897). On August 20, Augustus was named the 2006 WNBA Rookie of the Year
WNBA Rookie of the Year Award
The Women's National Basketball Association's Rookie of the Year Award is an annual Women's National Basketball Association award given since the 1998 WNBA season, to the top rookie of the regular season. The winner is selected by a panel of sportswriters throughout the United States, each of whom...
.
The former LSU star improved to 22.6 points per game in 2007, while shooting nearly 51% from the field. An All Star for the second straight year, Augustus finished second to Seattle's Lauren Jackson
Lauren Jackson
Lauren Elizabeth Jackson is an Australian professional basketball player. Jackson began her professional career at the Australian Institute of Sport in the WNBL before moving on to the Canberra Capitals. She is currently a forward/centre with the Seattle Storm of the WNBA and the Australian...
in scoring average and played in all 34 games. The Lynx however, finished 10–24 tied with Los Angeles Sparks
Los Angeles Sparks
The Los Angeles Sparks is a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the league's inaugural 1997 season began...
for the league's worst record.
2009–2010: Injuries
In June 2009, Seimone suffered a season ending injury, a torn ACLAnterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament is a cruciate ligament which is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle , based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur...
, against the Phoenix Mercury
Phoenix Mercury
The Phoenix Mercury is a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the league's inaugural 1997 season began; it is one of the eight original franchises...
.
Augustus's return in 2010 was derailed by medical issues as well, as she was forced to undergo surgery to remove fibroid tumors, including one the size of a baby's head. Augustus had attempted to postpone surgery until after the season, but the pain was too difficult to play through. Despite the setback, Augustus returned to play the final 25 games of the season.
2011–present: Finally, a title
Augustus was finally back to full strength in 2011, and a part of a potent Lynx team that included newly acquired rookie Maya MooreMaya Moore
Maya April Moore is an American basketball forward for the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA and Ros Casares Valencia of Euroleague. Moore was the winner of the 2006 and 2007 Naismith Prep Player of the Year. She was selected as the John Wooden Award winner in 2009 after leading Connecticut to the...
. Augustus led the team in scoring and served as the team's lead defender as the Lynx rolled to the best record in the WNBA and team history. Augustus also made her first all-star game since 2007. She finished eighth in MVP voting, and was named Second Team All-WNBA
All-WNBA Team
The All-WNBA Team is an annual Women's National Basketball Association honor bestowed on the best players in the league following every WNBA season. The voting is conducted by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States. The team has been selected in every season of the...
for the third time in her career, and the first since 2007.
Augustus elevated her game in the playoffs
2011 WNBA Playoffs
The 2011 WNBA Playoffs is the postseason for the Women's National Basketball Association's 2011 season. Four teams from each of the league's two conferences qualified for the playoffs seeded 1 to 4 in a tournament bracket, with the two opening rounds in a best-of-three format, and the final in a...
. She led the Lynx in scoring in five of their eight games, and scored the second-highest number of points in WNBA Finals
WNBA Finals
The WNBA Finals is the championship series of the Women's National Basketball Association and the conclusion of the sport's postseason each fall. The series was named the WNBA Championship until 2002....
history – 36 – in game two of the 2011 WNBA Finals
2011 WNBA Finals
The 2011 WNBA Finals was the championship series of the 2011 season of the Women's National Basketball Association , and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The Minnesota Lynx, champions of the Western Conference, swept the champions of the Eastern Conference, the Atlanta Dream in three...
. okanla ilişkisi var, and swept the Atlanta Dream
Atlanta Dream
The Atlanta Dream is a professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2008 WNBA season began. The team is owned by Dream Too LLC, which is composed of two Atlanta...
in the title round, with Augustus being unanimously named Finals MVP.
Regular season
|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2006
2006 WNBA season
-External links:*******...
| style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota
Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season...
| 34 || 34 || 33.1 || .456 || .353 || .897 || 3.8 || 1.5 || 0.6 || 0.5 || 2.09 || 21.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2007
2007 WNBA season
-External links:* * * * * * * *...
| style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota
Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season...
| 34 || 33 || 32.1 || .508 || .419 || .873 || 4.0 || 2.3 || 1.2 || 0.6 || 2.44 || 22.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2008
2008 WNBA season
-Season Highlights:*Candace Parker becomes the second and third player in WNBA history to dunk in a regular season game.*A fight breaks out between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Detroit Shock resulting in four ejections and ten suspensions....
| style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota
Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season...
| 31 || 31 || 33.6 || .470 || .317 || .890 || 3.9 || 2.7 || 1.0 || 0.4 || 1.68 || 19.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2009
2009 WNBA season
The 2009 WNBA Season is the 13th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. It is the first WNBA season ever without a Houston franchise, the Comets having folded in December 2008...
| style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota
Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season...
| 6 || 6 || 29.7 || .570 || .643 || .905 || 4.2 || 1.5 || 2.0 || 0.5 || 2.17 || 21.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2010
2010 WNBA season
The 2010 WNBA season was the 14th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. The regular season began with a televised meeting between the defending champion Phoenix Mercury and the Los Angeles Sparks in Phoenix, Arizona on May 15. The Connecticut Sun hosted the 10th Annual All-Star...
| style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota
Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season...
| 25 || 25 || 33.3 || .429 || .336 || .667 || 3.2 || 1.9 || 0.7 || 0.3 || 1.40 || 16.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2011
2011 WNBA season
The 2011 WNBA season is the 15th season of the Women's National Basketball Association. The regular season began on June 3 with the Los Angeles Sparks hosting the Minnesota Lynx, featuring 2011 WNBA Draft top pick Maya Moore, in a game televised on NBA TV...
| style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota
Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season...
| 34 || 34 || 29.3 || .504 || .417 || .865 || 3.5 || 2.2 || 0.9 || 0.4 || 1.32 || 16.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| Career
| style="text-align:left;"|6 years, 1 team
| 164 || 163 || 32.1 || .478 || .373 || .865 || 3.7 || 2.1 || 0.9 || 0.5 || 1.82 || 19.5
Postseason
|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2011
2011 WNBA Playoffs
The 2011 WNBA Playoffs is the postseason for the Women's National Basketball Association's 2011 season. Four teams from each of the league's two conferences qualified for the playoffs seeded 1 to 4 in a tournament bracket, with the two opening rounds in a best-of-three format, and the final in a...
| style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota
Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season...
| 8 || 8 || 33.0 || .527 || .438 || .886 || 4.50 || 3.8 || 0.88 || 0.63 || 1.63 || 22.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| Career
| style="text-align:left;"|1 year, 1 team
| 8 || 8 || 33.0 || .527 || .438 || .886 || 4.50 || 3.8 || 0.88 || 0.63 || 1.63 || 22.0
Overseas career
In the 2006–07 and 2007–08 WNBA off seasons, she played for the Dynamo MoscowDynamo Moscow (women's basketball)
WBC Dynamo Moscow is a Russian women's basketball club.-Titles Won:* USSR Championship: 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1944, 1945, 1948, 1950, 1953, 1957, 1958* Russian Super League A: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001* FIBA EuroCup Women: 2007...
club in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
.
During the 2008–09 WNBA offseason, Augustus played in the EuroCup
EuroCup Women
The EuroCup Women is the second-caliber professional basketball league with teams from European clubs from national leagues joined in FIBA Europe.It succeeds the Ronchetti Cup.- System of competition :...
for Galatasaray
Galatasaray Women's Basketball Team
Galatasaray Medical Park is the women's basketball section of Galatasaray S.K., a major sports club in Istanbul, Turkey. The club is sponsored by Medical Park....
, a club based in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
.
Awards and achievements
- 2007–08 Turkish Presidents Cup Winner with Galatasaray
- 2008–09 FIBA Eurocup Winner with Galatasaray
- 2008–09 FIBA Eurocup MVPMost Valuable PlayerIn sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
with Galatasaray
International career
Augustus is a current member of the U.S. women's basketball team and she earned a gold medal at the Summer Olympic Games: Beijing 2008.Augustus was invited to the USA Basketball Women's National Team training camp in the fall of 2009. The team selected to play for the 2010 FIBA World Championship and the 2012 Olympics is usually chosen from these participants. At the conclusion of the training camp, the team will travel to Ekaterinburg, Russia, where they compete in the 2009 UMMC Ekaterinburg International Invitational.
External links
- Seimone Augustus official site, hosted by LSU Athletics
- USA Basketball bio
- Seimone's bio at usolympicteam.com
- Seimone Augustus Profile Galatasaray.org
- Profile at tbl.org.tr
- Seimone's Story: WNBA Phenom Part 1,Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V
- WNBA 2006 Draft Prospectus