DALLAS (April 2, 2017) — Destiny Slocum of the University of Maryland is the winner of the first-ever WBCA NCAA Division I Freshman of the Year presented by adidas, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced today.
The Freshman of the Year award honors the best freshman or redshirt freshman women's basketball player in all of NCAA Division I. All conference freshman players of the year in NCAA Division I are considered for the award. If a conference does not select a freshman player of the year, the conference office can nominate one player to be considered.
“Energy, enthusiasm, effort and effectiveness — these are hallmark pillars that each coach hopes their first-year, student-athletes will contribute to the team,” said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. “The WBCA and adidas recognize the important contribution of first-year student-athletes. I am pleased to present the WBCA NCAA Division I Freshman of the Year award to Destiny Slocum. Destiny most certainly contributed to the University of Maryland’s success and we recognize and applaud her immediate impact this season.”
In her first collegiate season, Slocum managed 100 rebounds, 201 assists and 44 steals. She was the third-highest scorer for the Terrapins after netting 383 points — an 11.6-point-per-game average. Slocum scored a career-high 25 points in the win over Niagara in November 2016.
With Slocum’s help, Maryland claimed its third-consecutive Big Ten Conference tournament title. The Terrapins entered the 2017 NCAA tournament as a third seed, and held a 30-2 record.
Slocum was a 2016 WBCA High School All-American. She was a McDonald’s All-American as well as the Idaho Gatorade High School Player of the Year.
“adidas is proud to join the WBCA in recognizing excellence in collegiate basketball,” said Jim Gatto, adidas director of basketball sports marketing. “We look forward to further partnering with the WBCA to create opportunities to foster growth, exposure and excitement for the women’s game.”
About adidas
adidas has been providing innovative products for the world’s best athletes for more than 60 years, from past legends to today’s superstars, such as James Harden, Derrick Rose, Damian Lillard, Andrew Wiggins and Kyle Lowry and top collegiate basketball programs including Kansas, Louisville and Indiana.
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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