1999-00:
JUNIOR (1998-99)
Started 22 games and played in all 28. The Tigers’ second-leading rebounder with 5.2 per game behind conference leader Kesha Bonds. Tied for the team lead in assists with 67. Recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds in the first outing of the season vs. Bradley (11/19). Scored a season-high 14 points at Southeast Missouri State (11/24). Handed out a career-high six assists vs. Iowa (11/29). Posted a career-high five steals vs. Texas Southern (12/4). Scored 12 points, pulled down seven rebounds, and recorded three steals vs. Texas A&M (1/9). Netted 13 points at Baylor (1/27). Came off the bench to register 13 points and seven rebounds at Texas Tech (2/13). Off the Court: Tabbed first-team Academic All-Big 12.
SOPHOMORE (1997-98)
Played in all 27 games for the Tigers, starting in 23... named to the All-Big 12 Academic Honor Roll... scored a career-high 23 points against Nebraska, connecting on 10 of 14 from the field and 3 of 3 from the line... pulled down a career-high 15 rebounds against Nebraska... scored in double-figures in 14 games... registered two double-doubles on the season... ranked second on the team in rebounding, averaging 5.6 boards per game... recorded a career-high four steals against Texas... ranked second on the team in free throw accuracy, connecting on 71.9 percent from the line... dished out a season-high four assists three times on the season... finished the season averaging 8.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.
FRESHMAN (1996-97)
Played in 27 games, starting in 12... scored a career-high 19 points against Texas A&M... pulled down a career-high 12 boards against Texas A&M... scored consecutive career-highs with 18 points against Texas and 19 points against Texas A&M... scored in double-figures five times... dished out a career-high five assists in the Paradise Classic against Hawaii... recorded her first double-double against Texas A&M... hit six out of seven free throws (.857) against Texas, finishing with 18 points... recorded a career-high three steals against Oklahoma... finished the season averaging 5.1 ppg and 3.3 rpg... earned a starting position, starting in the last 10 games of the season... led the team in rebounding three times... fourth-leading scorer for the Tigers in conference play... named to the All-Big 12 Academic Honor Roll.
HIGH SCHOOL
Three-year varsity player and two-year starter at Kempner High School... averaged 20 points and [number unclear] rebounds per game her senior year... competed in AAU basketball for two seasons... named first-team all-district her senior season... named second-team all-district and all-state honorable mention her junior season... named Texas All-American her senior season by the coaches association... named district honorable mention her sophomore season... named most valuable player in 1991... also lettered in track and field... finished third in the high jump and third in the 400m in the district... member of the National Honor Society... recipient of the Presidential Academic Fitness Award... earned the National English Merit Award... member of the United States Achievement Academy and the Macy's Minorities in Medicine Award Program.
PERSONAL
Majoring in biology (pre-med)... born on February 3, 1979 in Bath, England... participated in the Baylor/Rice Honors Pre-medical Academy summer program... parents are Macaulay and Nene Akpaffiong... father lettered in soccer and track at Illinois.
1996-97: Played in 27 games, starting in 12. Scored a career-high 19 points against Texas A&M. Pulled down a career-high 12 boards against Texas A&M. Scored consecutive career-highs with 18 points against Texas and 19 points against Texas A&M. Scored in double-figures five times. Dished out a career-high five assists in the Paradise Classic against Hawaii. Recorded her first double-double against Texas A&M. Hit six out of seven free throws (.857) against Texas, finishing with 18 points. Recorded a career-high three steals against Oklahoma. Finished the season averaging 5.1 ppg and 3.3 rpg. Earned a starting position, starting in the last 10 games of the season. Led the team in rebounding three times. Fourth leading scorer for the Tigers in conference play. Named to the All-Big 12 Academic Honor Roll.
High School: Three year varsity player and two year starter at Kempner High School. Averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds per game her senior year. Competed in AAU basketball for two seasons. Named first team all-district her senior season. Named second team all-district and all-state honorable mention her junior season. Named Texas All-American her senior season by the coaches association. Named district honorable mention her sophomore season. Named most valuable player in 1991. Also lettered in track and field. Finished third in the high jump and third in the 400m in the district. Member of the National Honor Society. Recipient of the Presidential Academic Fitness Award. Earned the National English Merit Award. Member of the United States Achievement Academy and the Macy's Minorities in Medicine Award Program.
Personal: Majoring in biology (pre-med). Born on February 3, 1979 in Bath, England. Participated in the Baylor/Rice Honors Pre-medical Academy summer program. Parents are Macaulay and Nene Akpaffiong. Father lettered in soccer and track at Illinois.
Full name: Ekpedeme Ubong Akpaffiong
Nickname: Ekpe
Favorite athlete: Hakeem Olajuwon
My hobbies are: Playing basketball, reading and dancing
My favorite food is: Pasta
My favorite movie is: The Color Purple
My favorite women's professional team is: The Houston Comets
My favorite women's basketball player is: Cynthia Cooper
My favorite quote is: There is a power greater than myself who loves me exactly as I am
My craziest ambition is to: Dance professionally
If I weren't playing college basketball I would be: Bored to death
My greatest moment in sports was: Beating Kansas
Before a basketball game I: Pray
The one thing I like most about basketball is: The bond between teammates
When I want to get away from basketball I: Sleep
The best athlete I ever played against was: My brother
My primary inspiration in sports is: My family
My goal in life is: To be happy just being me and not worry about anyone else
My advice to youngsters is: Be true to yourself not everyone else
The best thing about being an athlete is: The lessons you learn about life
The worst thing about being an athlete is: The stereotype that playing sports is all that you are good at doing
1996-97:
High School: Three year varsity player and two year starter at Kempner High School. Averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds per game her senior year. Competed in AAU basketball for two seasons. Named first team all-district her senior season. Named second team all-district and all-state honorable mention her junior season. Named Texas All-American her senior season by the coaches association. Named district honorable mention her sophomore season. Named most valuable player in 1991. Also lettered in track and field. Finished third in the high jump and third in the 400m in the district. Member of the National Honor Society. Recipient of the Presidential Academic Fitness Award. Earned the National English Merit Award. Member of the United States Achievement Academy and the Macy's Minorities in Medicine Award Program.
Personal: Majoring in biology (pre-med). Born on February 3, 1979 in Bath, England. Parents are Macaulay and Nene Akpaffiong. Father lettered in soccer and track at Illinois.
The Akpaffiong File
Full name: Ekpedeme Ubong Akpaffiong
Nickname: Ekpe
Favorite athlete: Hakeem Olajuwon and Scottie Pippen
Favorite person: My parents and my sister
Favorite food: Pasta
Favorite sports team: Houston Rockets
Favorite movie: The Color Purple
Favorite TV show: 90210 reruns
I chose Missouri because of: The nice atmosphere
What impresses me most about Coach Rutherford is: She is very nice and cares a lot about her athletes.
Before a basketball game I: Pray
The best thing about being an athlete is: Being part of a team.
The worst thing about being an athlete is: The stereotype that all we are good at is sports.
My most memorable basketball achievement is: Being recruited by division I teams.
Most influential person in my basketball career is: My parents
If I had a million dollars I'd buy: My parents a house in Nigeria.
My advice to youngsters is: Listen to your parents. They know everything.
My goal in life is: To become a pediatrician or child psychologist.
HONORS & AWARDS
- 1996-97 All-Big 12 Academic First Team
- 1997-98 All-Big 12 Academic First Team
- 1998-99 All-Big 12 Academic First Team
- 1999-00 All-Big 12 Academic First Team