Megan Gustafson, Iowa
Gustafson is averaging 13.3 rebounds and 27.7 points per game this season while shooting 70.8 percent from the field. She started all 29 games for the Hawkeyes and helped lead them to an undefeated regular season at home with an overall record of 23-6. She scored a season-high 44 points in a December game against Drake and her season-high 20 rebounds came last month against Nebraska.
Last year, the Wisconsin native was named an All-American by Sports Illustrated, USA Today and espnW. She was also a WBCA Coaches’ All-America honorable mention. A unanimous first team All-Big Ten selection, she also was voted as Big Ten Player of the Year. She was the only player in the country who averaged over 25 points and whoshot over 67 percent from the field. She also set several single-season school records: points (823), rebounds (411), field goals made (320), free throws made (183) and double-doubles (28).
Presley Hudson, Central Michigan
So far this season, Hudson is averaging 20.3 points and 5.9 assists per game. She is also averaging over four rebounds per game. From the field, she is shooting 42.8 percent while going 93.1 percent from the free-throw line. She has helped the Chippewas to a 23-6 overall record and a 14-3 record in Mid-American Conference play. The team has won its fourth-straight MAC West Division title.
In her junior year last season, Hudson was a first team All-MAC selection and earned MAC All-Academic honors. She started all 35 of the team’s games and was voted as the team’s co-MVP. She set the Central Michigan single-season 3-point record with 125 makes. She also set single-season records for team history in assists with 185 and free-throw percentage shooting 93.3 percent from the free-throw line. In 21 games she made 100 percent of her free throws.
The weekly Wade Watch Spotlight recognizes players on this season’s Wade Watch list of candidates for the Wade Trophy, the sport’s oldest and most prestigious national player of the year award, which the WBCA presents each year to the best player in college women’s basketball.