University of North Carolina Athletics
Bell Named ACC's Top Defensive Player
March 2, 2005 | Women's Basketball
March 2, 2005
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina senior Nikita Bell has been honored as the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year, the ACC announced Wednesday. Also recognized was Tar Heel freshman Erlana Larkins, who was a unanimous pick for the ACC All-Freshman team.
Bell, a forward/guard from Columbus, Ga., is the inaugural winner of the award, created this season. She is joined on the five-member All-Defensive team, which is selected by a vote of the league's coaches, by Duke's Alison Bales, Virginia's LaTonya Blue, Florida State's Alicia Gladden and NC State's Ashley Key.
"People don't usually get recognized for playing defense, so I'm really excited," Bell said. "I've always said that even if I can't do anything else on the court, I can play defense. It's something that comes naturally for me."
Bell leads UNC in steals for the third year in a row and continues to climb the UNC and ACC career charts. She currently ranks fourth in school history and 12th in conference history with 300 career steals. Against conference opponents, she has averaged nearly four steals per game, the top average in the ACC.
"The kid just loves to play defense," UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell said. "She thrives on it. She's strong and quick and athletic, but just as important is the fact she has such a passion for playing defense. She feels like that's where she can best help the team. I'm so pleased to see her receive this honor."
Bell is averaging 10.0 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in addition to her 3.1 steals. In ACC games only, she averages 11.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.8 steals.
Bell was named to the ACC All-Defensive team in 2003, when she also was named to the All-ACC second team.
Larkins's honor was the second in as many days for the forward from Riviera Beach, Fla., who was announced Tuesday as a second-team All-ACC pick. She was joined on the All-Freshman team by Maryland's Crystal Langhorne (like Larkins, a unanimous selection), Duke's Wanisha Smith, Georgia Tech's Chioma Nnamaka and NC State's Khadijah Whittington. Duke's Chante Black and Virginia's Sharnee Zoll earned honorable mention.
Larkins ranks second on the UNC team in scoring and rebounding this season, averaging 15.3 points and 6.9 boards per game. She leads the conference and ranks fourth in the nation with a field goal percentage of .633.
The top-seeded Tar Heels (24-3, 12-2 ACC) open play at the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament on Saturday at noon against the winner of Friday's game against No. 8 Georgia Tech and No. 9 Miami.
