#23 Allison Hightower Season 2024-25
2010 State Farm Coaches’ Honorable Mention All-American
2010 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Second Team All-American
2010 LSWA Louisiana Player of the Year
2010 LSWA All-Louisiana First Team
2010 State Farm Coaches All-America Finalist, Region III Team
2010 John Wooden Award Finalist
2010 Naismith Trophy Midseason Candidate
2010 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award Finalist
2010 Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American
2010 All-SEC First Team (Coaches, Media)
2010 SEC All-Defensive Team
2010 SEC Community Service Team
Two-time SEC Player of the Week
2010 Sporting News Preseason All-American
2010 ESPN.com Preseason All-American
2009 State Farm Coaches’ All-America Honorable Mention
2009 State Farm Coaches’ All-America Region III Team
2009 All-SEC First Team (Coaches, Media)
2009 SEC All-Defensive Team
2009 SEC Winter Academic Honor Roll
2009 LSWA Player of the Year
2009 LSWA All-Louisiana First Team
2008 SEC Sixth Women of the Year
2007 Freshman All-SEC
CAREER
One of the all-time elite players in LSU history … Finished as the 13th all-time leading scorer in school history with 1,509 points, sixth in blocked shots with 89 and seventh in career 3-point field goals with 108 … Her 89 career blocked shots were the most by a guard in school history … Became the first LSU player to reach the 1,500-point plateau since Sylvia Fowles … Concluded her brilliant career with 136 games played, which ranks fourth in school history behind only Sylvia Fowles, Quianna Chaney and Seimone Augustus … Won 101 games during her career, reaching the NCAA tournament all four years and the NCAA Final Four twice … Played in 13 career NCAA tournament games, which ranks in the school’s all-time top 10 … Reached double-figures 70 times and produced 18 games of 20 or more points … Earned All-America honors as a junior and senior and was a National Player of the Year candidate in 2010 … A constant in the community of Baton Rouge, she visited youth schools throughout her career … Named a finalist for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award as a senior, which recognizes excellence on and off the floor.
SENIOR SEASON (2009-10)
LSU’s most valuable player for the second straight season leading the Lady Tigers to their 12th straight NCAA tournament … A finalist for the State Farm Coaches’ All-America Team, Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award and John R. Wooden Award … Named to the Naismith Trophy’s Midseason Watch List … A unanimous selection to the All-SEC First Team by the league’s coaches and media … Also a member of the SEC All-Defensive Team … Earned Associated Press Honorable Mention All-America honors for the first time in her career … Led LSU in six categories, including points (18.2), 3-point field goal percentage (39.8), 3-point field goals made (45), field goals made (215), steals (2.0) and minutes played (32.4) … Her 18.2 ppg scoring average was the highest by an LSU player since Seimone Augustus’ National Player of the Year senior season in 2005-6 (22.7) … Reached double-figures in 29 of LSU’s 31 games, including a career-best final 16 games of the season … Produced 11 games of 20-or-more points and she averaged 18.6 points per game against ranked teams … LSU’s leading scorer in 21 games … Ranked second in the SEC with 18.2 points per game, second in 3-point field goal percentage (39.8) and seventh in steals (2.0) … The only player in the league to register in the top seven in points, 3-point field goal percentage and steals per contest … Two-time SEC Player of the Week, becoming the first multiple LSU recipient since Sylvia Fowles in 2008 … Scored a career-high 32 points at Louisiana Tech on Dec. 1 … It was the highest point total by an LSU player since Seimone Augustus dropped 35 points at Florida on Feb. 16, 2006 … Scored 25 points in the first half of that contest, the most by an LSU player in a half since Elaine Powell had 27 points in a half at SMU on Jan. 10, 1996 … Named SEC Player of the Week for her performance in games at No. 13 Xavier on Dec. 30 and at South Carolina on Jan. 4 … Averaged 20.5 points with 10 steals, eight assists and four blocks in those two games combined … Also was named SEC Player of the Week for her 20-point performance against New Orleans on Dec. 13 … Finished a blistering career-high 6-of-9 from 3-point land in a win at Alabama on Jan. 31 while tallying a game-high 29 points in 29 minutes … Scored 31 points — a career-best in an SEC game — in a triple-overtime loss to Ole Miss on Feb. 7 … Was a season-best 9-of-12 from the free throw line in that contest … Hit on a career-best 11 made field goals in a 29-point effort at Auburn on Feb. 14 … Poured in 24 points in the first half at Auburn, the most in a half by an LSU player in an SEC game since Cornelia Gayden scored 26 points in the second half at South Carolina on Jan. 14, 1995 … Finished 10-of-18 from the floor with 26 points in her final home game at the Maravich Center against Mississippi State … Delivered her second straight 20-plus point effort with 24 points in a loss to Vanderbilt in the second round of the SEC Tournament … Scored 19 points in her final collegiate game and kept LSU within striking distance in the NCAA Tournament second round at Duke … Named to the SEC’s Community Service Team and was also a finalist for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award … The national honor recognizes the attributes of senior student-athletes in four areas: classroom, community, character and competition … Active member of LSU’s “Grades, Perseverance and Achievement” program with the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.
JUNIOR SEASON (2008-09)
LSU’s most valuable player who enjoyed one of the finest seasons in school history … Led LSU in six categories, including points (14.9), assists (3.0), steals (1.9), blocks (1.2), minutes played (35.0) and field goal percentage (.457) … Finished the season with 447 points that put her at 943 points for her career, 57 shy of 1000 … Started all 30 games … Earned State Farm Coaches’ Honorable Mention All-America Team honors … A unanimous selection to the All-SEC First Team as chosen by the league’s coaches … Also a member of the SEC All-Defensive Team … Named the Louisiana Player of the Year by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association … Became the first player in school history to lead the Lady Tigers in points, assists, steals and blocks in a single season and became the first player since All-American Marie Ferdinand (1999) to lead LSU in points, assists and steals in a single season … Ranked fifth in the SEC in points per game, fifth in field goal percentage, 11th in assists, seventh in steals, 11th in blocked shots, second in minutes played and third in assist/turnover ratio (1.8) … Led all SEC guards in blocked shots and was the only guard in the league to rank in the top 11 in both blocks and steals … LSU’s leading scorer in 18 of 30 games and delivered in nearly every one of the Lady Tigers’ big contests … Averaged 23.5 points and 4.0 assists in the NCAA Tournament … Reached double-figures in 26 of 30 games and played all 40 minutes in six games … Scored 20 points or more in six contests … Registered her first career double-double versus No. 25 Xavier on Nov. 26 with 15 points and a career-best 11 rebounds … Carried LSU against Florida State on Dec. 28 with 20 points on 9-of-18 shooting with four rebounds, three assists and a steal in 36 minutes of action … Tossed in 14 points — 12 in the first half — before fouling out at No. 1 Connecticut on Jan. 3 … Added three assists, two steals and a block and finished 5-of-8 from the free throw line against the Huskies … Buried 17 points on an efficient 8-of-11 shooting to help lead LSU past Alabama on Jan. 11 … Nearly had a double-double against the Tide with nine boards, three assists and two blocks … Dropped 22 points on a 10-of-16 effort from the field at #18 Vanderbilt on Jan. 18 with seven rebounds and four steals … Played the entire game against the Commodores … Finished with 10 points and four blocks against Mississippi State at Jan. 22 while playing all 40 minutes for the second straight game … Led LSU with 18 points at Kentucky on Jan. 25 and knocked down six free throws, including four in the final minute that put the game away … Lifted LSU past No. 9/11 Florida on Feb. 15 with a game-high 21 points, three assists, two blocks and five steals … Led all scorers with 16 points, six rebounds and a season-high five steals to lift LSU past Georgia on Feb. 19 … Scored 20 points — 18 in the second half — to lead LSU past Kentucky on Feb. 22 … Blocked the potential game-winning shot with two seconds remaining to preserve the victory … Had 14 points against #18/23 Tennessee, but missed the final 9:31 of the game after suffering from leg cramps … Buried 23 points — 19 in the second half — to lead LSU past Mississippi State in the second round of the SEC Tournament on March 6 … Made her first eight shots of the second half against the Lady Bulldogs and tied a career-high 10 field goals … Saw a streak of 15 consecutive double-figure scoring games come to an end with six points versus Vanderbilt in SEC Tournament semifinal on March 7 … The streak was the longest since Sylvia Fowles had 16 straight double-figure games in 2008 … Streak began on Jan. 11 at Alabama for Hightower … 26 points versus Green Bay in NCAA Tournament First Round on March 22 … Had 20 points in the first half, the most by an LSU player in a half in an NCAA Tournament game since Marie Ferdinand had 20 versus Purdue in the second round on March 18, 2001 … Followed that up with a 21-point effort that nearly led LSU to an upset of No. 7 Louisville in the second round on March 24 while playing all 40 minutes … Finished 9-of-12 from the free throw line against the Cardinals … Shot a combined 17-of-22 from the free throw line in the NCAA Tournament … Invited to USA Basketball World University Games Team Trials in May.
SOPHOMORE SEASON (2007-08)
Played in all 37 games with two starts … Named the SEC’s Sixth Woman of the Year by the league’s coaches… Scored 17 points on 7-for-9 shooting and 3-for-4 from 3-point land in the season-opener against Samford … Poured in 15 points at Tulane on Dec. 2 … Also scored 15 points in the SEC opener at Arkansas on Jan. 10 … Scored 14 points at Florida on Feb. 3 … Posted 12 points and seven rebounds at Kentucky on Jan. 27 … Also had seven rebounds at Rutgers on Nov. 25.
FRESHMAN SEASON (2006-07)
Played in all 38 games and started against McNeese State and Louisiana Tech in late December … Named Freshman All-SEC by the coaches … Also scored nine points at Tulane on Nov. 19 … Scored 12 points in the come-from-behind victory over Georgia on Jan. 7 … Poured in 14 points in the victory at Mississippi State on Jan. 14 … Added 11 points off the bench in the loss to No. 5 Connecticut on Feb. 11 … Scored 12 points in the victory over Tennessee in the SEC Tournament … Added 12 points on 3-for-4 from 3-point range in LSU’s upset win over Connecticut in the NCAA Tournament Regional Final on March 26 … Her .771 (27-for-35) free throw percentage was second highest on the team … Named the SEC Freshman of the Week on Jan. 8 … Invited to the 2007 USA Basketball U19 World Championship Junior National Teams Trials in Colorado Springs in May.
HIGH SCHOOL
Averaged 21.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 6.0 steals and 5.0 assists per game during her career at Juan Seguin High School for head coach Courtney Phillips … Finished as Seguin’s all-time leading scorer with 2,182 points in three seasons … Helped her school to a 28-0 District 7-4A record during her last two seasons, leading Seguin to the state regional finals … Earned WBCA and McDonald’s All-American honors as a senior.
PERSONAL
Full name is Allison Kina Hightower … Born on April 6, 1988, in Dallas, Texas … Daughter of David and Regina Hightower … Has one older brother, Tony … Majoring in general studies with concentrations in communication studies, sports studies and African-American studies … Scheduled to graduate from LSU in May 2010.
HIGHTOWER’S CAREER HIGHS
Points, 32, at Louisiana Tech; Dec. 1, 2009
Rebounds, 11, twice; last at Ole Miss; Jan. 17, 2010
Field Goals, 11, twice; last at Auburn; Feb. 14, 2010
FG Attempts, 30, vs. Kentucky; Jan. 28, 2010
3-Pt Field Goals 6, at Alabama; Jan. 31, 2010
3-Pt FG Attempts 9, at Alabama; Jan. 31, 2010
Free Throws 9, three times; last vs. Ole Miss; Feb. 7, 2010
FT Attempts , 14, at Louisiana Tech; Dec. 1, 2009
Assists, 7, twice; last at Ole Miss; March 1, 2009
Steals, 6, at Xavier; Dec. 30, 2009
Blocks, 4, twice; last at South Carolina; Jan. 3, 2010
Minutes, 47, vs. Ole Miss; Feb. 7, 2010 (3OT)
What They Are Saying About Allison Hightower …
“(Allison) Hightower is just a terrific attacking, slashing guard. She reminds you of Monica Wright, from Virginia, another fantastic player. Monica Wright is not a lefty, but she is certainly someone who can score at will, which it seems Hightower can too.”
— Duke head coach Joanne P. McCallie
“She’s a pretty dynamic player who can score in every way. And the thing that I like most about her is she plays just as hard on the defensive end of the floor, and can be just as much of a nuisance on defense as she is on offense. It’s no surprise to me, with the work ethic that she has, that she has given herself quite a name in the country, being an All-American candidate and a Player of the Year candidate. She’s had a great senior season, and she’s a big reason for the success of the team this year.”
— Hartford head coach Jennifer Rizzotti
“Let me just say this, I came to LSU in ’07 and if Allison Hightower had transferred, LSU’s program goes rock-bottom. Allison Hightower stayed and we built this program around her for three years. I’d probably say she’s been the ultimate teammate. We’re going to take about three players to replace her.”
— LSU head coach Van Chancellor
“I’m not sure this is the proper wording, but in a long way, she saved our program. She was the constant during a difficult time. She is, in my mind, one of the five most influential people to ever play here. She’s the hardest working player I’ve ever coached – men or women.”
— LSU associate head coach Bob Starkey
“She is a tough player. She is preseason Player of the Year so we know what to expect. She was knocking down shots, even ones we were contesting. She was hitting threes too so she was just knocking down her shots.”
— Auburn guard Alli Smalley following Hightower’s 24-point first half at Auburn on Feb. 14
“Allison Hightower’s patented move begins on the right wing. A slash through the lane, it develops quickly. And it ends with a bang. Hightower lofts the ball softly using her left hand, a floater that even tall, athletic defenders find impossible to disrupt. Such describes Hightower’s stock these days in women’s college basketball circles.”
— Scott Hotard, Baton Rouge Advocate
“She can easily be a first-team member of the Big East because of the way she plays. She’s first team anywhere. She’s an all-around great basketball player by the way she plays.”
— Angel McCoughtry, 2009 WNBA No. 1 Draft Pick
“Earlier today, our radio guy asked me to compare (Allison) Hightower to someone in our league, and I kind of hesitated for awhile, thinking that there is no one in our league like her. She’s special, and she was really special tonight. She was a difference-maker.”
— Matt Bollant, Green Bay head coach following 2009 NCAA First Round
“There’s no question in my mind that Allison Hightower is one of the best players in the country. Her work ethic and attitude have been outstanding her entire career. She’s a leader on and off the floor and she’s the face of our team.”
— Van Chancellor, LSU head coach