WBCA announces 2015-16 'Wade Watch' candidates

ATLANTA (March 11, 2016) – The Wade Trophy Committee has named 32 student-athletes to the 2015-16 “Wade Watch” list, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced today.

Now in its 39th year, The Wade Trophy is named in honor of the late, legendary Delta State University coach, Lily Margaret Wade.  During her six seasons as head coach, Wade won three consecutive national championships with the Lady Statesmen and recorded a career record of 157-23.

Regarded as “The Heisman of Women’s Basketball,” The Wade Trophy is presented annually to the WBCA NCAA Division I Player of the Year.   The 32-member list is made up of top NCAA Division I student-athletes who best embody the spirit of Lily Margaret Wade according to the following criteria: game and season statistics, leadership, character, effect on their team and overall playing ability.

Here is the list of candidates for the 2016 Wade Trophy in alphabetical order:

Player Institution Position Year
Jillian Alleyne University of Oregon Forward Senior
Ameryst Alston Ohio State University Guard Senior
Rachel Banham University of Minnesota Guard RS Senior
Imani Boyette University of Texas Center Senior
Adut Bulgak Florida State University Center Senior
Jordin Canada UCLA Guard Sophomore
Alaina Coates  University of South Carolina Center Junior
Nia Coffey Northwestern University Forward Junior
Nina Davis Baylor University Forward Junior
Diamond DeShields University of Tennessee Guard RS Sophomore
Makayla Epps University of Kentucky Guard Junior
Myisha Hines-Allen University of Louisville Forward Sophomore
Moriah Jefferson University of Connecticut Guard Senior
Niya Johnson Baylor University Guard Senior
Brionna Jones University of Maryland Center Junior
Jonquel Jones George Washington University Forward Senior
Brittney Martin Oklahoma State University Guard Senior
Kelsey Mitchell Ohio State University Guard Sophomore
Tiffany Mitchell University of South Carolina Guard Senior
Adrienne Motley University of Miami Guard Junior
Kelsey Plum University of Washington Guard Junior
Aerial Powers Michigan State University Forward Junior
Azurà Stevens Duke University Forward Sophomore
Breanna Stewart University of Connecticut Forward Senior
Morgan Tuck University of Connecticut Forward Senior
Brianna Turner University of Notre Dame Forward Sophomore
Victoria Vivians Mississippi State University Guard Sophomore
Courtney Walker Texas A&M University Guard Senior
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough University of Maryland Guard Junior
Jamie Weisner Oregon State University Guard Senior
Courtney Williams University of South Florida Guard Senior
A’ja Wilson University of South Carolina Forward Sophomore

The WBCA will officially announce The Wade Trophy winner during the WBCA Convention, held in conjunction with the NCAA® Women’s Final Four® in Indianapolis.

The WBCA purchased sole ownership and all rights to The Wade Trophy from the Society of Health and Physical Educators, doing business as SHAPE America, in January 2016. The two organizations had partnered to present the prestigious award since 2000.  The WBCA NCAA Division I Coaches’ All-America Selection Committee determines the recipient.

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About the WBCA:
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association promotes women's basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game in all of its aspects as a sport for women and girls. For more information about the WBCA, please visit wbca.org.

- WBCA -