Player of the Year Claire Lamunu of Vanguard University headlines 2017 WBCA NAIA Coaches’ All-American team

ATLANTA (March 14, 2017) – Claire Lamunu of Vanguard Universityis the 2017 WBCA NAIA Player of the Year and headlines the 2017 WBCA NAIA Coaches’ All-America team, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced today.

Nationally, Lamunu stands first in double-doubles (23), second in scoring (680), and third in rebounds (380). She tops the Golden State Athletic Conference in scoring and rebounds.

Lamunu’s efforts helped Vanguard earn a first-place conference finish. The Lions finished the regular season 27-3 overall and 15-1 in league play. The squad led the conference in scoring offense (2,238), scoring margin (+23.7), defensive field goals (1,595), offensive rebounds (1,429), assists (537) and steals (366).

The WBCA presents the Player of the Year award annually to the top player in each of the six WBCA membership divisions (NCAA Divisions II, and III, NAIA, junior/community college and high school). The Player of the Year and the 10-member Coaches’ All-America team in each division are selected by a committee of WBCA member coaches in that division.

"The WBCA is pleased to name Claire Lamunu as the 2017 WBCA NAIA Player of the Year,"” said Danielle Donehew, executive director of the WBCA. “Claire has played an integral role in guiding her team to an extraordinary season, and is very deserving of this distinguished honor. The WBCA applauds Claire for her hard work, dedication and contributions to the game during the 2016-17 season.”

Here are the 2017 WBCA NAIA Coaches’ All-Americans:

“The 10 members of the 2017 WBCA NAIA Coaches’ All-America Team are well deserving of this recognition, and the WBCA congratulates them for their accomplishments this season,” said Danielle Donehew, executive director of the WBCA. “These young women have worked to elevate themselves and their teams to an elite level and through their exceptional talents on the basketball court, they have lifted the women’s game.”

Here are the student-athletes who received 2017 WBCA NAIA Coaches’ All-America honorable mention:

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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