Imagine a basketball court where five extraordinary women from the University of Maine (UMaine) stand tall, not just in height, but in their unparalleled achievements. These athletes have been recognized as among the best America East basketball players over the last 25 years, a testament to their skill, dedication, and impact on the game. But here's where it gets even more impressive: UMaine is one of only three programs with five players on this prestigious list, joining the ranks of Albany and Vermont.
The standout players—forward Heather Ernest and guards Kim Corbitt, Blanca Millan, Anne Simon, and Sigi Koizar—have left an indelible mark on the league. Their selection wasn’t just a matter of chance; it required playing at least two seasons in America East between 2000-01 and 2024-25 and earning all-league honors at least twice. Current players, no matter how talented, weren’t eligible, making this honor even more exclusive.
And this is the part most people miss: Anne Simon and Blanca Millan are the only two players in league history to be named both Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season—not once, but twice. Simon, a native of Sandweiler, Luxembourg, is UMaine’s fifth all-time leading scorer with 1,982 points, averaging 15.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.2 steals per game over her 130-game career. Her 280 steals rank fifth in school history, and her 721 rebounds are tenth. Simon’s accolades include being a four-time All-America East selection, a three-time first-team and all-defensive team pick, and the league’s Rookie of the Year. She also shone as the league tournament’s most outstanding player in 2023-24.
Millan, from Santiago de Compostela, Spain, follows closely with 1,974 points, ranking sixth at UMaine and 13th in America East. Over 126 games, she averaged 15.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.8 steals. At graduation, she held the second-most steals (324) and third-most 3-pointers (216) in school history. Like Simon, Millan was a three-time All-America East first team and all-defensive team selection, and she was named the league tournament’s most outstanding player twice.
Kim Corbitt, a defensive powerhouse, is a two-time America East Defensive Player of the Year and ranks fourth in UMaine’s career assists with 436. Heather Ernest, a Farmington native, is seventh in scoring with 1,804 points and third in rebounds with 1,040. She was a two-time Player of the Year and a tournament most outstanding player in 2003-04. Sigi Koizar, from Vienna, Austria, is the program’s ninth-leading scorer with 1,671 points and holds the school’s single-season record for 3-pointers with 85.
But here’s the controversial part: With Hartford, Boston University, and Stony Brook no longer in the America East conference, does their historical impact on the league still hold the same weight? And as we celebrate these UMaine athletes, how do we ensure their legacies inspire future generations of players? These questions spark debate, but one thing is certain: these five women have redefined excellence in America East basketball. What’s your take? Do you think their achievements will remain unmatched, or is there room for even greater accomplishments in the years to come? Let’s discuss in the comments!
