Anna Fanelli, Colorado College, Women's Basketball - Character & Community

Anna Fanelli, Colorado College, Women's Basketball - Character & Community

ANNA FANELLI OF COLORADO COLLEGE, a junior point guard on the women's basketball team from Portland, Ore., has been selected the SCAC Character & Community Female Student-Athlete of the Week for the week beginning February 28.

The SCAC Character & Community award honors the efforts of student-athletes who excel in the field of athletics, and also serve their campus and community.



From the moment Fanelli stepped on the court at Reid Arena for pick-up ball and captain’s practices in the days after she arrived on campus, it was obvious to her new teammates that the program had found the point guard it needed to take another significant step forward.

Katherine Menendez summed up the report she received from veteran players like All-American McKenzee Gertz and incumbent combo guard Jordan Meltzer in two words … ‘she’s legit.’

Fanelli lived up to that early praise by turning in a dazzling rookie season, dishing out 140 assists while helping the Tigers post a 14-12 record and the program’s first winning ledger in nine seasons.

During one-on-one meetings at the conclusion of the 2019-20 season, Menendez asked every player who should be part of the team’s leadership group, and Fanelli was the only unanimous selection.

Even though her sophomore campaign was condensed to an eight-game conference only season due to the Covid Pandemic, Fanelli led CC to a 7-3 record and the program’s first appearance in the championship game of the SCAC tournament. The Tigers began the season with its first two wins over Trinity University since 2012, and in the second of back-to-back games in San Antonio, Fanelli sank four clutch free throws during the final 43 seconds of overtime to seal the 64-61 victory.

Most recently, the first-team all-SCAC selection enjoyed a record-breaking season during the 2021-22 campaign. She set the school and conference single-season records with 239 assists, as well as the single-game marks with 16 during the 79-53 victory over Schreiner University on Jan. 15 at Reid Arena. She also has climbed into second place in program history as well as fifth all-time in the SCAC with 444 career assists.

Fanelli also ranks first in Division III in assists and an average of 8.39 assists per game.

While many players enjoy individual success, the impact that Fanelli already has made at Colorado College has been dramatic.

Fanelli guided the Tigers to back-to-back berths in the SCAC championship games, the first two in program history. With Fanelli running the show, the Tigers are 3-3 in the last three SCAC postseason games after going 3-8 in their previous 11.

This year’s 16 victories are the most for the program since the 2008-09 team posted a 16-9 record. The last time CC won more than 16 games was the 1989-90 season when the Tigers posted a 17-9 record.

CC has posted a winning record in each of Fanelli’s three seasons and its winning percentage has climbed as well. Prior to her arrival, the program had only three winning records in the previous 29 seasons. During her three seasons, the Tigers are 37-26,

Colorado College’s nine-game winning streak during the second half of the season is the program’s longest since 1989-90 team won nine in a row.

In her nearly three years at Colorado College, Fanelli has developed a reputation for leading by example and her teammates are all too eager to follow suit.

When Fanelli laces up her basketball shoes, her teammates put on theirs. When she gets up to shoot before practice, her teammates do the same. And when she speaks, she has everyone’s full attention.

It only makes sense that when Fanelli volunteers for community service, so do her teammates.

With Fanelli leading the way, the CC women’s basketball team has historically volunteered at the local Ronald McDonald house by preparing and serving meals to families staying there. 

Fanelli and her teammates also have been active with Team IMPACT for the last two seasons, mentoring eight-year-old Reagan Vance,  teammate with a chronic illness. Fanelli and the Tigers plan activities, such as “minute to win it” games, participate in video calls, trade messages and include her in CC’s game-day rituals. Vance is an important part of the team and always a welcome addition on the bench or in the locker room on game day. 

Fanelli also is a member of Colorado College’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and plays a leadership role in the Diversity and Inclusion and Show of Talents committees. 

In the classroom, Fanelli owns a 3.61 grade-point average while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology with a minor in human biology and kinesiology. Even though graduation is more than a year away, she plans to follow her dream of working in the medical field.

When the Tigers played in Portland at the beginning of the season, they practiced at Fanelli’s former club, which appropriately is named “Clutch Players.”

While there, Fanelli had the opportunity to meet Olivia Nichols, a fifth-grader and future point guard. Fanelli’s club coach, Jason Fawcett, arranged the meeting knowing that Fanelli is the perfect role model for an aspiring player, not only because of her success on the court, but also Fanelli’s commitment to assisting others.

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