
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, October 25, 1994                   TAG: 9412220051
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SHAQ, STALEY USA BASKETBALL ATHLETES OF YEAR

Shaquille O'Neal, the most valuable player of the World Championships of Basketball, and Dawn Staley, the most valuable player of the Goodwill Games, have been chosen recipients of the USA Basketball male and female Athlete of the Year awards.

Staley, a former University of Virginia star, led the USA team to the Goodwill Games gold medal with a 4-0 record in August and the World Championship bronze medal with a 7-1 record in June. She finished the Goodwill Games as the USA's assists and steals leader with averages of 5.8 and 2.5, respectively, while averaging 9.3 points.

At the World Championship, she also was the USA's assists and steals leader with 3.9 and 1.3, while averaging 11.6 points.

O'Neal, an NBA All-Star with the Orlando Magic, led Dream Team II to an 8-0 record at the World Championship of Basketball. He led the team in scoring (18.0), rebounding (8.5), blocked shots (1.9) and shooting percentage (.713) while averaging 17 minutes per game.

by CNB