Rhamat Alhassan

Rhamat Alhassan
Personal information
Nationality United States
Born (1996-09-07) September 7, 1996 (age 28)
Height1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
College / UniversityFlorida
Volleyball information
PositionMiddle blocker
Current clubItaly Il Bisonte Firenze
Number1
Career
YearsTeams
2014–2018United States Florida
2018–2019Japan NEC Red Rockets
2019–2020Italy Golden Tulip Volalto Caserta
2020–2022Italy Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri
2022–presentItaly Il Bisonte Firenze
National team
2022 United States
Honours
Indoor Volleyball
Representing the  United States
Pan-American Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2022 Hermosillo

Rhamat Alhassan (born September 7, 1996) is a volleyball player who played collegiately for Florida.

Early life

Alhassan grew up in Glenarden, Maryland.[1] She started playing basketball in seventh grade, and did not play volleyball until her sophomore year in high school, at The Academy of the Holy Cross in Kensington, Maryland.[2]

College

Many schools were interested in her as an athlete, but most were interested in her basketball skills, which were more advanced than her volleyball skills. Her former basketball coach, Eddie Simpson, says she "is a better basketball player than she is a volleyball player", and Alhassan agrees.[3] Florida was one of many schools interested in her as a volleyball player. While in high school, Alhassan considered the possibility of playing both sports in college, but ended up concentrating on volleyball. Alhassan chose Florida, partly for the volleyball, partly for the location, and partly for Florida's College of Journalism and Communications.[2]

In her last season at Florida, Alhassan helped lead the Gators to the 2017 National Championships. The Gators haven't been to the Final 4 since 2003.[citation needed]

In 2018, Alhassan won the Honda Sports Award as the nation's best female volleyball player.[4]

Professional career

After graduation from the University of Florida, Alhassan continued to play volleyball professionally.

Professional Volleyball Career
Season Team Location League Notes
2018-2019 NEC Red Rockets Tokyo, Japan V1
2019-2020 Caserta 2.0 Volalto Caserta, Italy A1 Didn't continue with the team after December 27, 2019
2020-2022 Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri '76 Chieri, Italy A1
2022-present Il Bisonte Firenze Florence, Italy A1

Honors, and awards

  • Honda Sports Award for Volleyball (2018)[5]
  • American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American[1]
  • 2017 SEC Volleyball Player of the year[6]
  • Second Gator in history (Kelly Murphy) to earn a spot on one of the three AVCA All-America teams four times[7]
  • Four-time AVCA All-American (2014—Second Team; 2015, 2017—First Team; 2016—Third Team)[7]
  • Four-time AVCA All-Southeast Region (2014–16)[7]
  • Four-time All-SEC (2014–16)[7]
  • Second player in Division I history to tally at least 1,250 kills, 605 blocks and a .420 clip[7]
  • Career .423 hitting percentage ranked tied for 7th in Division I history following 2017 season[7]
  • UF record holder in career total blocks (674) and block assists (584)[7]
  • 2017 USAV National Team—Pan American Cup -- Gold Medalist[7]
  • 2016 USAV National Team—Pan American Cup -- Bronze Medalist / Best Blocker[7]
  • 2015 USAV Junior National Team—European Global Challenge -- Gold Medalist[7]
  • 2014 USAV Junior National Team—NORCECA Championships -- Gold Medalist / MVP / All-Star Team / Best Blocker[7]
  • 2014 USAV Women's National Team Winter Training Block Roster[7]
  • 2012 & 2013 USAV Youth National Training Team[7]

References/Notes and references

  1. ^ a b "Rhamat-Alhassan". .teamusa.org. Archived from the original on July 13, 2015.
  2. ^ a b "FEATURE: Rhamat Alhassan Leaving Her Mark on Gator Volleyball". ESPN 98.1 FM - 850 AM WRUF. December 8, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  3. ^ Williams, Preston. "Rhamat Alhassan of Holy Cross sticking with volleyball for college". Washington Post. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  4. ^ "Alhassan in L.A. for 2018 Honda Sports Award ceremony". Florida Gators. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  5. ^ "Rhamat Alhassan of Florida Named Honda Sport Award Winner for Volleyball". CWSA. January 3, 2018. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  6. ^ "2017 SEC Volleyball Awards announced". www.secsports.com. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Rhamat Alhassan - Volleyball". Florida Gators. Retrieved March 7, 2021.