The 1997 Associated Press player of the year trophy earned by former Connecticut women's basketball star Kara Wolters is back in her possession, a week after being reported stolen.
The trophy had actually been sent out for cleaning without the basketball player's knowledge, she said Wednesday.
''My grandma had a friend remove the trophy so she could surprise me and get it polished for my birthday,'' Wolters said in a text message. ''She lives out of state and didn't know any of this was going on. She feels so bad.''
The 38-year-old former center found the trophy missing from a display case next to her fireplace when she returned from a trip to the beach on Aug. 20, and reported the apparent theft to police.
State police said there is no criminal aspect to the case, and it has been closed.
''I am off to the police station now with cookies!'' Wolters said. ''Mystery solved! It was just the perfect storm of craziness!''
