ATLANTA (March 19, 2024) – The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced today the NAIA award winners for the 2023-24 season.
Coach of the Year
For the second straight year, Campbellsville University head coach Ginger Colvin is the 2024 WBCA NAIA Coach of the Year. Colvin will receive the Pat Summitt Trophy, named for the late legendary University of Tennessee coach and awarded annually to the coaches of the year in each of the WBCA’s membership divisions.
“The WBCA is proud to once again announce Ginger Colvin as the recipient of the Pat Summitt Trophy presented to the WBCA NAIA Coach of the Year,” said WBCA Executive Director Danielle M. Donehew. “Ginger, who also won this honor in 2023, was chosen after leading her team to another exceptional season. The WBCA recognizes and applauds her leadership example that can be seen in her student-athletes, institution and community.”
This year’s finalists for WBCA NAIA Coach of the Year were:
| Name | School |
| Jessie Biggs | Indiana Institute of Technology |
| Ginger Colvin | Campbellsville University |
| Shawn Reed | Tabor College |
| Rachelle Sayers | Carroll College |
| Jeff Soderquist | John Brown University |
| Candace Walker | Saint Thomas University |
Player of the Year
Ella Collier of Marian University repeats as WBCA NAIA Player of the Year and headlines the 2024 WBCA NAIA Coaches’ All-America team. Collier also received the honor in 2023.
The WBCA presents the Player of the Year award annually to the top player in five of the six WBCA membership divisions (NCAA Divisions II, and III, NAIA, two-year college and high school). The Wade Trophy is presented to the best player in NCAA Division I.
“The WBCA is pleased to once again name Ella Collier as the WBCA NAIA Player of the Year,” said Donehew. “She is most deserving of this distinguished honor. The WBCA applauds Ella for her hard work, dedication and contributions to the game during the 2023-24 season.”
Coaches’ All-America
Here are the 2024 WBCA NAIA Coaches’ All-Americans:
| Name | Institution |
| Melissa Akullu | Vanguard University |
| Grace Beyer | University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy |
| Sandra Cannady | Loyola University |
| Ella Collier | Marian University |
| Erika Foy | Indiana Institute of Technology |
| Lauren Lee | Campbellsville University |
| Nicole McDermott | Clarke University |
| Jamie Pickens | Carroll College |
| Allie Stone | University of Pikeville |
| Kaitlynn Wilks | Campbellsville University |
“We congratulate the members of the 2024 WBCA NAIA Coaches’ All-America team,” said Donehew. “These young women have worked to elevate their teams and themselves to an elite level of competition. Through their exceptional talents on the basketball court, they have also lifted the women’s game.”
Here are the student-athletes who received 2024 WBCA NAIA Coaches’ All-America honorable mention:
| Name | Institution |
| Madaline Boyle | Campbellsville University |
| Kiara Brown | Menlo College |
| Jessica Carrothers | Indiana University Northwest |
| Kaylee Clark | Williams Baptist University |
| Korynn Clason | Sterling College |
| Brooke Dial | Waldorf University |
| Lilli Frasure | Indiana Wesleyan University |
| Jaycie Jenkins | Milligan University |
| Ella Larsen | Grand View University |
| Ashlee Maldonado | University of Providence |
| Madie McCoy | Tabor College |
| Teionni McDaniel | Georgetown College |
| Kassie Monday | University of the Cumberlands |
| Alyvia Owens | Tabor College |
| Jordan Reid | Indiana Wesleyan University |
| LaMyah Ricks | Kansas Wesleyan University |
| Lauren Rowley | William Carey University |
| Tarrah Stephens | John Brown University |
| Jordan Sweeney | University of Montana – Western |
| Taylor Thomas | Loyola University |
The WBCA NAIA Coach of the Year, Player of the Year and Coaches’ All-America team are selected by the WBCA NAIA Awards Committee from coaches and student-athletes who are nominated by WBCA member coaches.
Visit WBCA.org to see a list of past recipients of each award.
About the WBCA
The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women’s and girls’ basketball at all levels of competition. Founded in 1981, the WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit WBCA.org for more details about the association.
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