Kia Vaughn (born January 24, 1987 in the Bronx, New York) is a professional women's basketball player for the WNBA's New York Liberty.^[1] She attended high school at St. Michael's All Girls High School in New York, and later went on to star at Rutgers University^[2]

[edit] High school

Vaughn played for St. Michael Academy in New York, New York, where she was named a WBCA All-American.^[3] She participated in the 2005 WBCA High School All-America Game where she scored two points^[4]

[edit] College

Vaughn attended Rutgers University from 2006-2009, playing under legendary coach C. Vivian Stringer. She helped Rutgers to a perfect 16-0 record in the Big East conference her freshman year, averaging 6.3 points per game and 7 rebounds a game. During her sophomore season, she was named the All-Met Division I Women's College Basketball Player of the Year. She averaged 12.8 points per game, 9.3 rebounds per game, and 2.5 blocks per game.^[5] That year, she helped lead the Rutgers women's basketball team to a Big East Conference championship. The Lady Scarlet Knights lost to the Tennessee Lady Vols in the NCAA championship game.^[6]

Vaughn continued to excel in her junior season, garnering Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association All-Met First Team honors along with being named to the All Big-East second team. She averaged 10 points per game and 8.2 rebounds per game on the season. Her senior campaign was solid, but a little underwhelming as she averaged only 9.7 points per game 6.7 rebounds per game.^[5] Nevertheless, she was named All-Big East Honorable Mention at the season's conclusion.^[7]

[edit] USA Basketball

Vaughn was also a member of the Championship winning 2006 USA National Team FIBA Americas U20 Championship for Women in Mexico City, Mexico. Kia averaged 12 points and 3 rebounds in 5 games.

[edit] Controversy

She and the other 9 players were called "nappy-headed hoes" on the Don Imus radio show, for which he was subsequently released from the station.

[edit] Notes