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.
###
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.