Cardinal Couple takes an occasional look back at players who made
their mark at the University of Louisville. Today, we catch up with
former Lady Cards center Jazz Covington...who played for the Cards from 2003-2007.
The Cards built an impressive media campaign around the 6'2"
center during her final two years at Louisville. "All that Jazz" was
popular theme for her and posters had her and some of her UofL
teammates playing or holding various musical instruments. Jazz
played those final two seasons with an up and coming wing player
named Angel McCoughtry and the two led Louisville to consecutive
NCAA Tournament appearances in Tom Collen's final two years coaching the Lady Cards.
The 4 year starter at UofL averaged in double figure scoring for the
Cards during her time at Louisville and upon graduation continued her basketball career by going to play in the European leagues.
First stop for Jazz was playing for Elfic Fribourg, in Switzerland. She averaged 21.7 points and 10.6 rebounds in the 2007-2008 season and an impressive 26.5 points and 11.6 rebounds in Cup post-regular season play.
The following year found Jazz in Finland, starting for S-Hameenmaa, in the Finnish 1st division. Her numbers were impressive again in 2008-2009, with 20.2 points a game and 13.9 boards. She was the leading rebounder in the league and statistics ranked her the most efficient.
Next for Jazz was signing with Sedis Cadi in the Spanish 1st division. Another big year for Covington followed with 16 points and 7.2 rebounds. She was ranked the 4th best player in the league...behind current Atlanta Dream stars Sancho Lyttle and Erika de Souza.
The 2010-11 season will have her changing gears again, having signed a contract with Union Saint Amand in the French 1st division.
These days, she's a power forward instead of a center and it seems to fit her quite well. A recent Euro League scouting report gives the following description:
"Jazz Covington is a very talented player who can play both one-on-one, facing her defender or play her in the low post. She's strong, athletic that uses her body well and knows how to keep balanced with contact. She also has a very accurate mid and long range shot."
Here's hoping Jazz continues her stellar European performances and maybe one of the WNBA teams gives her a look next season.
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Jazz's former UofL teammate Angel McCoughtry did everything she could yesterday to pull the Atlanta Dream out of their losing streak but it was to no avail, as the Dream lost on the road to the Connecticut Sun 96-80.
McCoughtry had 27 points against the Sun, who broke open a mid-third quarter tie game to rout Atlanta. The Dream (14-8) has lost their last three games and is tied with the Washington Mystics for first place in the Eastern Division. Connecticut and Indiana are a game back.
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