February 27, 2018 | Women's Basketball
TAMPA, FEB. 27, 2018 – It's been a historical season for junior Kitija Laksa. Already one of the most prolific scorers in program history, Laksa has been named one of the five finalists for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Tuesday. In its inaugural year, the annual award recognizes the top shooting guard in the country.
A national committee of top women's college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers narrowed the original award watch list of 20 players to 10 candidates and now just five finalists. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Ms. Drysdale and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The winner of the award will be determined by a combination of fan votes and input from the Basketball Hall of Fame's selection committee. Fans are encouraged to visit www.HoophallAwards.com to cast their votes March 2-23.
Laksa (Riga, Latvia) leads The American with 622 points this season. Entering the postseason, the junior is chasing Courtney Williams' junior class record of 710 points.
Laksa netted an NCAA record 11 consecutive three-pointers and is one of a handful of players in Division I to collect over 100 three-point field goals this season. Laksa's 107 three-point field goals is 22 shy of the NCAA single season record of 129 treys in a season.
"I think it is wonderful that the Basketball Hall of Fame and the WBCA have created positional awards to recognize elite female players in the college game today," Ann Meyers Drysdale said. "I look forward to watching these five finalists compete as they head into the postseason and elevate their games to help their teams advance."
Laksa is the only player in the NCAA this season to score 40-plus points on two separate occasions. The guard has turned in five 30-point games and has led the team in scoring on 16 different occasstions. Laksa leads all divisions, men or women, with a 96.3 free throw percentage.
The five finalists for the 2018 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award are Katie Lou Samuelson (Connecticut), Asia Durr (Louisville), Victoria Vivians (Mississippi St.), Arike Ogunbowale (Notre Dame), and Kitija Laksa (South Florida).
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. The award will then be presented to the student-athlete on Saturday, March 31 at a new awards reception presented by the Basketball Hall of Fame and the WBCA and held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Each award will be presented by its respective Hall of Famer making this brunch a star-studded event.
About USF Women's Basketball
To stay up-to-date on the latest USF women's basketball news, follow the Bulls on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram).
USF notched its sixth consecutive 20-win season in an 84-65 romp of No. 13 Ohio State. This is the ninth 20-win season in program history and head coach Jose Fernandez has been at the helm for all nine 20-win seasons. The 2014-15 team holds the 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.
– #GoBulls –
A national committee of top women's college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers narrowed the original award watch list of 20 players to 10 candidates and now just five finalists. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Ms. Drysdale and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The winner of the award will be determined by a combination of fan votes and input from the Basketball Hall of Fame's selection committee. Fans are encouraged to visit www.HoophallAwards.com to cast their votes March 2-23.
Laksa (Riga, Latvia) leads The American with 622 points this season. Entering the postseason, the junior is chasing Courtney Williams' junior class record of 710 points.
Laksa netted an NCAA record 11 consecutive three-pointers and is one of a handful of players in Division I to collect over 100 three-point field goals this season. Laksa's 107 three-point field goals is 22 shy of the NCAA single season record of 129 treys in a season.
"I think it is wonderful that the Basketball Hall of Fame and the WBCA have created positional awards to recognize elite female players in the college game today," Ann Meyers Drysdale said. "I look forward to watching these five finalists compete as they head into the postseason and elevate their games to help their teams advance."
Laksa is the only player in the NCAA this season to score 40-plus points on two separate occasions. The guard has turned in five 30-point games and has led the team in scoring on 16 different occasstions. Laksa leads all divisions, men or women, with a 96.3 free throw percentage.
The five finalists for the 2018 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award are Katie Lou Samuelson (Connecticut), Asia Durr (Louisville), Victoria Vivians (Mississippi St.), Arike Ogunbowale (Notre Dame), and Kitija Laksa (South Florida).
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. The award will then be presented to the student-athlete on Saturday, March 31 at a new awards reception presented by the Basketball Hall of Fame and the WBCA and held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Each award will be presented by its respective Hall of Famer making this brunch a star-studded event.
About USF Women's Basketball
To stay up-to-date on the latest USF women's basketball news, follow the Bulls on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram).
USF notched its sixth consecutive 20-win season in an 84-65 romp of No. 13 Ohio State. This is the ninth 20-win season in program history and head coach Jose Fernandez has been at the helm for all nine 20-win seasons. The 2014-15 team holds the 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.
– #GoBulls –
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