USF Athletics

Jespersen Named Finalist For Power Forward of the Year

February 01, 2018

TAMPA, FEB. 1, 2018 – Senior Maria Jespersen has had an outstanding season, but her play in the American Athletic Conference has exceeded all expectations. The forward leads the team with 19.7 conference points per game and her efforts have kept her in the conversation as one of the best forwards in the country.  Jespersen has been named a finalist for the 2018 Katrina McClain Award, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Thursday.
 
Jespersen (Arhus, Denmark) has collected eight 20-point outings and is averaging close to 20-points per game in conference action. The senior is shooing at a season clip of 47.1  and averages 9.1 rebounds per game. Jespersen has recorded 11 double-double performances as a senior.
 
The Denmark native netted her 1,000^th career point at Oklahoma (Dec. 9) and she is quickly moving up the program's all-time career scoring list. After 22 games this season, Jespersen is No. 14 on the list with 1,236 career points. Jespersen is 33 rebounds away from becoming the sixth player in program history to surpass 1,000 career points and 800 rebounds.


The Selection Committee for the Katrina McClain 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. McClain-Pittman 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 Katrina McClain Power Forward 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 Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard Award, the Cheryl Miller Small 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 Katrina McClain Award, visit www.hoophallawards.com.
 
 
2018 Katrina McClain Award Candidates

Lauren Cox	Baylor
Kristine Anigwe	California
Camille Zimmerman	Columbia
Napheesa Collier	Connecticut
Caliya Robinson	Georgia
Myisha Hines-Allen	Louisville
Stephanie Mavunga	Ohio St.
Ruthy Hebard	Oregon
Bella Alarie	Princeton
Maria Jespersen	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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