Jan. 29, 2008

ATLANTA - Baylor junior Rachel Allison was among 31 players named to the 2008 Naismith Trophy midseason list it was announced today by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.

The women's list, which includes 31 candidates because of a tie, was voted on by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors, comprised of leading basketball journalists, coaches and administrators from around the country. The board based its criteria on player performances this season, and the list was narrowed down from the preseason list of 50 candidates who were announced at the beginning of the season.

A Big 12 Player of the Week selection this season, Allison, a 6-1 forward, averages 13.8 points and a team-leading 7.8 rebounds a game, 41 percent of which are off the offensive glass. The Jonesboro, Ark., native ranks among the league leaders in rebounding (5th), free throw percentage (12th) and scoring (14th).

"Rachel is very deserving of this honor. I am glad that the nation has recognized what we see every day in practice. She's an underrated player that deserves national recognition," said head coach Kim Mulkey.

Again this year AT&T will give fans an unprecedented voice in selecting the winner. Fan voting, through the power and ease of text messaging, will account for 25 percent of the selection process.

The list of 31 will be trimmed to four finalists in February with the Naismith Trophy winner being announced April 7 at the 2008 NCAA Final Four in Tampa.

For more information, visit www.naismithawards.com.