Feb. 15, 2012

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Former South Carolina women’s basketball standout Jocelyn Penn will be among the 12 participants in the Southeastern Conference Greats program at the 2012 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament in Nashville, Tenn. Featuring former outstanding student-athletes from all 12 SEC member institutions, the 2012 class will be honored during the festivities over March 1-4 at Bridgestone Arena.

“The SEC Greats program showcases the extraordinary talent these women have brought to athletics in the Southeastern Conference,” SEC Commissioner Mike Slive said. “These women set the precedent for the athletes you see today. It is an honor for us to acknowledge their contributions both on and off the athletic field.”

In addition to Penn, the 2012 class includes: Kelly Kretschman (Alabama, Softball), Sytia Messer (Arkansas, Basketball), Laticia Morris (Auburn, Basketball), Cassie Macia (Florida, Basketball), Camille Lowe (Georgia, Basketball), Valerie McGovern Young (Kentucky, Track), Yvette Girouard (LSU, Softball), Yolanda Moore (Ole Miss, Basketball), Iyhia McMichael (Mississippi State, Softball), Chamique Holdsclaw (Tennessee, Basketball) and Carolyn Peck (Vanderbilt, Basketball).

A part of the South Carolina women’s basketball program from 1999 to 2003, Penn was the leading scorer on the last two Gamecock teams to make the NCAA Tournament, taking teams to the Elite Eight in 2002 and to the second round in 2003. A two-time first-team All-SEC selection, she drew All-America honors from the Associated Press and was a Naismith Award and Wade Trophy finalist in 2003.

As good defensively as she was on offense, Penn is the school record holder in both steals (359) and field goal percentage (.593). She is fourth on the Gamecocks’ career scoring list with 1,939 and has recorded two of the program’s three 50-point games, including an SEC-record 51-point outing against Stetson. Penn also holds the record for steals in a game with 11 against South Carolina State.