Freshman guard Monica Wright is no stranger to high expectations. The McDonald's All-American led her high school to two state titles in a three-year span. Along the way, she earned high praise and numerous offers from colleges across the country. She picked Virginia, and the ACC media quickly picked her as the ACC Preseason Rookie of the Year.
Wright has proven the media was correct in their selection; this week she earned ACC Rookie of the Week honors for the fifth time this season as well as helping Virginia women's basketball team improve their record to 12-5, 2-1 ACC.
The honor came after an inspired performance against the Eagles last Sunday in a 65-63 thriller at the John Paul Jones Arena.
In overtime, Wright nailed a three-pointer with 1:14 to go that would prove to be the game-winner.
Plays like this one go to show Wright's ability and determination to play hard on both sides of the ball.
"She is fearless," Virginia coach Debbie Ryan said. "I don't really talk to Monica about the shots she takes unless it's during the film session and we can talk to her about it. She knows she has pretty much a green light as long as she's open. She's a money player."
Indeed, Wright has made some spectacular plays, particularly for a freshman. She showed poise against Marquette earlier in the year, where she took the ball and barreled down the lane to draw a foul after the Golden Eagles had staged a late comeback.
She also has performed best on the biggest stages, leading the Cavaliers with 26 points against the Temple Owls in a 71-65 victory. Still, Wright would be the first to admit that she is not above sweating out the big moments.
"I was really scared," Wright said. "I took them, and I was praying that they were going in. I took a deep breath before I shot, and that helped a little bit. Each time I really was praying."
With such a talented and selfless freshman like Wright on Virginia's side, Ryan's prayers may have been answered.
Wright headlines a trio of freshmen who have all exceeded expectations and can give Virginia fans hope for the program's future -- one that looked rather bleak after Virginia missed their second NCAA tournament in the past three years.
Wright will have to age quickly, however, as the Cavaliers enter the meat of their ACC schedule. Her decision-making has been suspect, leading to numerous turnovers and unwise shot selections. She had a combined 13 turnovers against Connecticut and North Carolina with only one assist.
Those numbers do not bode well for any guard, let alone one with such a large role on a team. But Ryan emphasized Wright's developing maturity.
"When you play a player that many minutes, it's a lot of minutes for a freshman," Ryan said. "She's been playing that all year. She's just going to get better and better from every experience."
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