Abby Waner

Classroom

Since arriving at Duke, Abby Waner has been a model student-athlete posting a 3.32 grade-point average.  She is a three-time member of the ACC Honor Roll and is a two-time ESPN The Magazine All-Academic District III selection.  A two-time ACC All-Academic Team honoree.

Character

Abby Waner is one of the best all-around people you will meet as she cares about her teammates and is very well-liked around the college basketball world.  She has been twice voted to be the captain of her team as a junior and senior. Abby is one of the hardest working players in practice and the games as she usually leads the team in floor burns as well as steals.  She leaves all she has out on the court each and every game. Over the summer of 2008, she performed an internship with ESPN in the production department and gained valuable experience.  She also traveled to the NBA Draft to observe various ESPN talent.  This fall she has been part of the ESPNU Campus Connection where she was the sideline reporter for two Duke Football games.  She aspires to work in television after graduation along with playing professional basketball.

Coach McCallie on Abby Waner:
“Abby is an incredible competitor who is not afraid to lead on and off the court,” said Duke Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie. “She sets an incredible example of work ethic, focus and committement to being an outstanding student-athlete. Her character, integrity and her willingness to do whatever it takes is second to none. She is a fantastic candidate for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award.”

Community

Abby participated in Duke’s Read with the Blue Devils program, were student-athletes travel to area schools to read with the kids.  Made numerous trips to the Ronald McDonald House to spend time with the kids and families and also helped at the Durham Soup Kitchen.  She has spent time volunteering at the Bone Marrow Transplant Center visiting with the families, kids, playing and talking.  Waner traveled to Camp Kaleidoscope with other teammates to spend time with the campers.  Camp “K,” which is a summer camp program for the Duke Children’s Hospital.

Competition

One of the most competitive student-athletes you will find, Abby has had a stellar career at Duke.  Since arriving, she has been named All-ACC Freshman, All-ACC second team, All-ACC third team, All-ACC Tournament first team and to the State Farm and the John R. Wooden lists for National Player of the Year.  She led Duke to the National Championship game as a freshman and to the NCAA Sweeet 16 in each of the past two years.  Overall, she has led Duke to 88 victories in only three years.  Abby has guided three USA Basketball teams—U-21 World Championship, U-19 World Championship and the Junior World Championship teams—to a 21-0 overall record.  She has started 80 of 100 career games at Duke.  In the Blue Devil record charts, she ranks fourth in three-point field goals made (118), first in three-point field goals attempted (507), fifth in steals (230) and is 13 assists shy of moving into 10th place.  Her 507 career three-pointers ranks 22nd on the ACC charts and she is one of only six Blue Devils to lead her team in scoring as a sophomore (14.1).  As a junior, she became the 23rd player in Duke history to register 1,000 career points.