Abigail Nellie Waner (born October 31, 1986) is an American basketball player who, after a collegiate career at Duke, was drafted by the New York Liberty in the 2009 WNBA draft,[1] and was waived on May 29, 2009.[2] In 2008, she became a college basketball analyst for ESPN and was named assistant coach of the University of Denver's women's basketball team in 2012.[3] Born in Englewood, Colorado, Waner is married to fellow Colorado-born basketball player Jimmy Bartolotta.[4]
Playing career
High school
As a senior Waner won the Morgan Wootten award, given to the McDonald's All American player who exemplifies outstanding character, exhibits leadership and embodies the values of being a student-athlete in both schoolwork and community service activities.[5] She led ThunderRidge high school to three Class 5A State Basketball Championships during her high school career. In 2004, Waner was named Colorado Miss Basketball and Colorado Player of the Year while leading the state in scoring. She also broke the Colorado girl's single game scoring record when she tossed in 61 points in her final regular season game. Waner finished her high school career with an impressive 92-8 record. Also, Waner played her high school ball and graduated alongside WNBA draftee and former sport stacking world record holder Emily Fox.[5] Waner was named a WBCA All-American. She participated in the 2005 WBCA High School All-America Game, where she scored sixteen points.[6]
USA Basketball
Waner suited up for USA Basketball on several occasions. In the summer of 2004, Waner competed at the Junior World Championship. She led the Junior World Championship Qualifying Team to a 5-0 record in Tunisia and started all five contests while averaging 12.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.2 steals. Her next appearance for Team USA was in the summer of 2005 at the Under 19 World Championship. She started all eight games as the US went 8-0 record and won the second gold medal in six attempts for the U19 team. Statistically, she averaged 8.9 points, 3.0 assists, 2.0 rebounds and hit 40.6 percent of her three-pointers. At the Under 21 World Championship in the Summer of 2007, she led the team to an 8-0 record and the gold medal in Moscow, Russia. This time, she started two of eight contests, while averaging 5.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 18.5 minutes a contest.[7]
Duke University
Waner registered 222 career three-pointers over four years to rank 12th on the ACC all-time list and first all-time at Duke. She became the first Duke player and eighth ACC player to register 45 or more three-pointers in four consecutive years.[8]
Her 691 career three-pointers attempted ranks seventh in ACC history and first at Duke. Not only did Waner hit three-pointers, but she was a great all-around student-athlete as she became the fifth player in ACC history to notch over 1,400 points, 400 rebounds, 400 assists and 300 steals.[8] Waner owns the single-game Duke record for steals with 10 against Utah Valley on Dec. 18, 2007.[9]
New York Liberty
Waner got her first taste of the WNBA preseason in a 77-71 victory over the Washington Mystics.[10] Waner played for 15 minutes, scored 3 field goals, 1 three-pointer, 1 rebound and 1 steal.[11] She was released prior to the start of the 2009 WNBA season.
