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ASU's 50 Best Professional Athletes: No. 30 Women's Basketball's Briann January

Arguably the best women's basketball player in ASU history checks in at No. 30 on our list of the 50 best professional athletes to attend Arizona State.

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona State women's basketball coach Charli Turner-Thorne has built arguably the most consistent athletic program in Tempe. Under her watch, the program has gone to 11 NCAA Tournaments including two Elite Eight appearances, and postseason trips in 16 of her 17 seasons at the helm.

One of her best players -- and one of the best players to ever play at ASU -- checks in at No. 30 on our list of the 50 best professional athletes to attend ASU: Briann January.

The Spokane, Wash., native played in Tempe from 2005-2009 and finished her career with the Sun Devils as the school's all-time leader in assists (538) and free throw percentage (83%). She is the only player in school history to lead the team in steals and assists in each of her four years on campus.

January was twice named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year (2007-2008, 2008-2009) and helped guide the Sun Devils to the Elite Eight in 2007 and 2009.

Following the 2009 season, January was drafted with the sixth overall pick in the WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever. After starting just 21 games in her first three seasons with the Fever, she started 26 games in 2012, averaging 10.3 points and 3.9 assists per game and helping the Fever win the WNBA Championship.

January started all 32 games in 2013 and 31 games in 2014, when she once again averaged 10.3 points per game and was named to her first (and only thus far) WNBA All-Star team. January is currently in her eighth season with the Fever and is averaging 9.6 points and 4.9 assists per game this season.

Check back tomorrow to find out who is No. 29 on our list of the 50 best professional athletes to attend ASU.