« Women’s Basketball 2010-11

Jessica Breland

School
North Carolina
Position
Forward
Major
Communications/African-American Studies
PPG
12.6
RPG
7.5
APG
1.6

Classroom

Despite dealing with cancer treatment, Breland has maintained a 2.99 GPA while carrying a double major in communications and African-American studies. The last four semesters Breland has attained at least a 3.0 GPA, earning her a spot on the ACC honor roll the year she went through her cancer ordeal. She was the first recipient of the Jan Boxill Academic Award, which is given to the player who achieves academic success despite obstacles. She exemplifies the award. She was again given the award last year, as she demonstrated even more how to achieve despite obstacles.

Character

Breland has proven to be one of the strongest individuals in the history of the Carolina women’s basketball program. Despite missing an entire season due to treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, she has kept a positive attitude and become the unquestioned leader of her team both on the floor and in the locker room.

Community

Breland and her teammates are active in the community, participating in projects such as Habitat for Humanity, visits to the North Carolina Cancer Hospital and the annual Christmas House charity that provides gifts to children in underprivileged families in the community.

Competition

Prior to being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Breland was one of the top players in the ACC. During her junior season, Breland was named second-team All-ACC and was a member of the league’s all-defensive team. She appeared in all 35 games and started 27, averaging 14.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per contest and also averaged 3.1 blocks per outing, good for seventh in the NCAA and tops in the ACC. As a sophomore, Breland came off the bench to average 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per contest and was named the ACC Sixth Player of the Year.