Roper named to All-WAC b-ball team
By Misty Volaski

University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine basketball player Christen Roper, a Nordhoff graduate, was one of three athletes named to the 2002-2003 academic All-WAC women's basketball team.

A total of 60 winter student-athletes from the conference's men's and women's basketball and women's swimming teams were named to the list.

This year marks the third time Roper has been named to the squad. To be eligible, a student-athlete must have completed at least one academic year, have at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average and have participated in at least 50 percent of the team's contests.

Roper developed into one of the most intimidating defensive forces in UH history, rewriting the school and conference record books during her four-year career.

This season the 6 foot, 5 inch senior center established a single-game school record (eight), broke her own single-season mark (110) and set a new career standard (303) for both the school and conference in blocked shots.

In her final game as a Rainbow Wahine at Arizona State, Roper set a new WNIT record for most blocks in a game (seven).
The Ojai native averaged 9.8 points per game and was the team leader in rebounding at 7.9 rebounds per game.

Roper, a history major, has a 3.28 GPA and is scheduled to graduate in December with aspirations of becoming a high school teacher and basketball coach.

Hawaii went to the WNIT tournament at Arizona State University last Thursday.  They lost the game, ending their season. Roper finished third in the nation in blocked shots. She also set the WNIT block shot game high at ASU last week. She finished third in career rebounds at Hawaii, is the career block shot record holder and has the Hawaii single season block shot record. 

"Are we proud or what?" said dad, Bob Roper. He said that his daughter has been meeting with several sports agents to see what her future holds. "It looks like the WNBA holds a slight chance for her, but she is looking forward to playing in Europe professionally," said Bob, who, with wife Debbie. rarely misses one of his daughter's games.

Christen's sister, Mindy, a 2001 NHS graduate is planning on going with Christen to Europe also.
Bob added that Christen had gotten a call from her coach, Vince Goo, that the Los Angeles Sparks had called him and would like her to try out on April 21 if she doesn't get drafted (the draft will be held April 16). 
"We don't know what the future will bring, but she can't make a bad decision anyway she goes," said Bob and wife Debbie.

Recently, it was released that Roper was on the list at wnba.com as a prospective draft player. ESPN is expected to air the draft pick April 16.
Check wnba.com or espn.com for times.

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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