ATLANTA (February 6, 2017) — The WBCA NCAA Division I Coaches’ All-America Selection Committee has added 10 additional student-athletes to the “Wade Watch” list of candidates for the 2017 Wade Trophy, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced today.
Joining the preseason list of 25 “Wade Watch” list of hopefuls are Monique Billings of UCLA, Lexie Brown of Duke, Tyra Buss of Indiana, Napheesa Collier of Connecticut, Asia Durr of Louisville, Tori Jankoska of Michigan State, Chantel Osahor of Washington, Brittney Sykes of Syracuse, Katie Lou Samuelson of Connecticut and Gabby Williams of Connecticut.
The Wade Trophy — now in its 40th year — is the oldest and most prestigious national player of the year award in college women’s basketball. It is named in honor of the late, legendary Delta State University head coach Lily Margaret Wade, who won three consecutive national championships with the Lady Statesmen. First awarded in 1978 by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), now known as SHAPE America, the Wade Trophy has been presented to the WBCA NCAA Division I National Player of the Year since 2001.
Here is the complete 35-member 2017 “Wade Watch” list:
|
Player |
Institution |
Position |
Height |
Year |
|
Lindsay Allen |
Notre Dame |
Guard |
5-8 |
Sr. |
|
Kristine Anigwe |
California |
Forward/Center |
6-4 |
So. |
|
Monique Billings |
UCLA |
Forward |
6-4 |
Jr. |
|
Lexie Brown |
Duke |
Guard |
5-9 |
Jr. |
|
Tyra Buss |
Indiana |
Guard |
5-8 |
Jr. |
|
Jordin Canada |
UCLA |
Guard |
5-6 |
Jr. |
|
Alaina Coates |
South Carolina |
Center |
6-4 |
Sr. |
|
Nia Coffey |
Northwestern |
Forward |
6-1 |
Sr. |
|
Napheesa Collier |
Connecticut |
Forward |
6-1 |
So. |
|
Nina Davis |
Baylor |
Forward |
5-11 |
Sr. |
|
Diamond DeShields |
Tennessee |
Guard |
6-1 |
Jr. |
|
Asia Durr |
Louisville |
Guard |
5-10 |
So. |
|
Makayla Epps |
Kentucky |
Guard |
5-10 |
Sr. |
|
Katelynn Flaherty |
Michigan |
Guard |
5-7 |
Jr. |
|
Myisha Hines-Allen |
Louisville |
Forward |
6-2 |
Jr. |
|
Tori Jankoska |
Michigan State |
Guard |
5-8 |
Sr. |
|
Brionna Jones |
Maryland |
Center |
6-3 |
Sr. |
|
Alexis Jones |
Baylor |
Guard |
5-9 |
Sr. |
|
Erica McCall |
Stanford |
Forward |
6-3 |
Sr. |
|
Kelsey Mitchell |
Ohio State |
Guard |
5-8 |
Jr. |
|
Mariya Moore |
Louisville |
Forward |
6-0 |
Jr. |
|
Kia Nurse |
Connecticut |
Guard |
6-0 |
Jr. |
|
Chantel Osahor |
Washington |
Forward/Center |
6-2 |
Sr. |
|
Alexis Peterson |
Syracuse |
Guard |
5-7 |
Sr. |
|
Kelsey Plum |
Washington |
Guard |
5-8 |
Sr. |
|
Leticia Romero |
Florida State |
Guard |
5-8 |
Sr. |
|
Katie Lou Samuelson |
Connecticut |
Guard/Forward |
6-3 |
So. |
|
Brittney Sykes |
Syracuse |
Guard |
5-9 |
Sr. |
|
Shakayla Thomas |
Florida State |
Forward |
5-11 |
Jr. |
|
Brianna Turner |
Notre Dame |
Forward |
6-3 |
Jr. |
|
Victoria Vivians |
Mississippi State |
Guard |
6-1 |
Jr. |
|
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough |
Maryland |
Guard |
5-11 |
Sr. |
|
Sydney Wiese |
Oregon State |
Guard |
6-1 |
Sr. |
|
Gabby Williams |
Connecticut |
Forward |
5-11 |
Jr. |
|
A'ja Wilson |
South Carolina |
Forward |
6-5 |
Jr. |
The “Wade Watch” list will be trimmed to four finalists in March. The WBCA will officially announce the winner of the Wade Trophy during the 2017 WBCA Convention, held in conjunction with the NCAA® Women’s Final Four® in Dallas.
About the WBCA
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. 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 www.WBCA.org for more details about the Association.
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