"Sadio has had an outstanding career at Oklahoma City. We are extremely pleased to present her with the State Farm/WBCA NAIA Player of the Year award," said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. "On behalf of the WBCA, I wish her all the best in the future."

A native of Mali, West Africa, senior center Sangare' played at Midland Junior College before her tenure at Oklahoma City University. In her junior season last year, Sangare' led the Lady Stars in blocked shots with 56 and averaged 18.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. This season, Sangare' leads her team in scoring averaging 21.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Sangare' was named the 2005 Sooner Athletic Conference Player of the Year after being named SAC player of the week five times this season. The Stars are the Sooner Athletic Conference champions and will begin play in the NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 17.

"State Farm is proud to partner with the WBCA and recognize this gifted student-athlete for her dedication and the tremendous achievements she has accomplished," said Pam El, Vice President of Marketing at State Farm.

The State Farm/WBCA Player of the Year Award is selected by the nine-member WBCA Player of the Year Committee, which consists of one WBCA-member coach from each of the eight WBCA NAIA Regions and the committee chair.

With being selected as the State Farm/WBCA NAIA Player of the Year, Sangare' will participate in the WBCA College All-Star Challenge game on April 2 at the University of Indianapolis. Sangare' will also be formally presented her award at the WBCA Awards Luncheon presented by State Farm and Jostens on Sunday, April 3, at the Indiana Convention Center. The State Farm/WBCA Player of the Year presentation is part of the 2005 WBCA National Convention, held in conjunction with the NCAA Division I Women's Final Four in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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Founded in 1981, the WBCA promotes women's basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game in all of its aspects as an amateur sport for women and girls. For more information about the WBCA, please visit WBCA.org.