USF Athletics

Laksa Named Finalist for Shooting Guard of the Year

January 30, 2018

TAMPA, JAN. 30, 2018 – Junior sharpshooter Kitija Laksa was named a finalist for the 2018 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Tuesday. Laksa is one of 10 finalists recognized as the top collegiate shooting guards in Division I.
 
Laksa (Riga, Latvia) started her junior campaign on the initial watch list of 20 in November and made the second cut for the award after an exceptional start to the season. Laksa averages 19.6 points per game this season and has turned in nine 20-point games. The guard has a USF program-best nine 30-point games in her three-year career, including two this year.
 
This season, Laksa became the second player in USF history to score 40-points, reaching the milestone against Southern at the Sun Dome (Dec. 15). In only 30 minutes of action, Laksa finished 13-of-16 from the floor and set a new NCAA record with 11-consecutive three pointers. Laksa finished 11-of-12 from long range. Her 74 three-pointers this season leads The American and ranks 10^th in Division I.
 
Laksa has scored 411 points through 21 games this season. The Latvian is chasing Courtney Williams for the junior class single season scoring record which was set during the 2014-15 season. Williams scored 710 points in her junior campaign.


The Selection Committee for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award is composed of top women's college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers. In March, five finalists will be presented to Ms. Drysdale and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. Fans will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite finalists to determine the Naismith Starting 5 at www.hoophallawards.com.
 
The winner of the 2018 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award will be announced during ESPN2's telecast of the national semifinal games in the 2018 NCAA Women's Final Four in Columbus, Ohio on Friday, March 30. Additional awards being presented include the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard Award, the Cheryl Miller Small Forward Award, the Katrina McClain Power Forward Award, and the Lisa Leslie Center Award, as well as the Wade Trophy, the sport's oldest and most prestigious national player of the year award which is presented annually by the WBCA's community of coaches to the best player in college women's basketball.
 
For more information on the 2018 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, visit www.hoophallawards.com.
 
2018 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Candidates

Darby Maggard	Belmont
Katie Lou Samuelson	Connecticut
Imani Wright	Florida St.
Asia Durr	Louisville
Chloe Jackson	LSU
Allazia Blockton	Marquette
Victoria Vivians	Mississippi State
Arike Ogunbowale	Notre Dame
Tyler Scaife	Rutgers
Kitija Laksa	South Florida

     *Players can play their way onto and off of the list at any point in the 2017-18 season*
 

About USF Women's Basketball
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USF notched its fifth consecutive 20-win season. The Bulls tallied its 20th win in their 24th contest of the season which tied the fastest any program has reached 20 wins. This is the eighth 20-win season in program history and head coach Jose Fernandez has been at the helm for all eight 20-win seasons. The 2014-15 team reached 20 wins in 24 games, and still currently holds the best record for most wins in a season (27).
 
USF has made 13 postseason tournament appearances and had five NCAA Tournament berths in Head Coach Jose Fernandez's 17 seasons. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Fernandez has guided USF to eight 20-win seasons, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2009 WNIT championship and won more than 300 games.
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