UConn
Jennifer Rizzotti played her college basketball at the University of Connecticut from 1992 to 1996. As a freshman, Rizzotti averaged 12.3 points and 3.6 assists per game. She was also on the first Huskies National Championship team in 1995. In that year Connecticut went 35-0 on their way to the championship.
In Rizzotti’s senior season, she won AP Player of the Year honors averaging 11.0 points and 5.8 assists per game, while shooting 44% from the field. Rizzotti set records for assist (212) and steals (112) during her senior year. That year, she also took home Big East Player of the Year and was a First-Team All-American.
Jennifer Rizzotti was a great leader in her time as Huskie; she is what you would call a floor general. Rizzotti loved to push the tempo and run in the open court. She was a member of the inaugural class of inductees to the University of Connecticut women’s basketball Huskies of Honor.
WNBA
Rizzotti went on to play in the ABL for the New England Blizzard. In her time there, she was a two-time All-Star. In 1999, Rizzotti drafted in the 4th round by the Houston Comets. She played there for two years, and the Comets won back to back WNBA championships. After Rizzotti’s two years with the Comets, she got traded to the Detroit Shock, but before she could play a game, she was traded to the Cleveland Rockers.
Rizzotti spent three years with the Rockers and averaged a career-high in points (6.8) and assists (3.3) in the 2002 season. In 2004, Rizzotti retired fro the WNBA averaging 3.1 points and 1.8 assist in five years. In her time in the WNBA, Rizzotti was more of a role player and was needed for veteran leadership.
Coaching
Rizzotti is now the head coach at George Washington; she will be entering her fourth season. In three years, she has a 49-43 record with the Colonials. Before coaching George Washington, Rizzotti spent 17 years as the head coach at the University of Hartford. She led the Hawks to six NCAA Tournaments and four America East Conference championships.
Rizzotti also has many years coaching USA Basketball for the U18 team. The former College Player of the Year was inducted to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.
