Nov. 23, 2009

ATLANTA - Baylor freshman Brittney Griner was one of 50 players named to the Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List announced on Wednesday, Nov. 18, by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.

Griner, a 6-8 freshman forward from Houston, Texas, is one of just three freshman named to the 50-player list, joining Notre Dame's Skylar Diggins and Elena Delle Donne of Delaware.

In addition, Griner is one of six players from the Big 12 Conference to earn a spot on the Preseason Naismith Trophy Watch List, joining Nebraska senior Kelsey Griffin, Kansas senior Danielle McCray, Oklahoma State senior Andrea Riley, Oklahoma junior Danielle Robinson and Kansas State senior Ashley Sweat.

The Naismith Trophy Watch List is compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors, which base its criteria on player performances from the previous year and expectations for the 2009-10 season. The Naismith Trophy presented by AT&T will be awarded at the 2010 NCAA Women's Final Four in San Antonio, Texas.

Fans can participate in selecting the winner through text messaging, which accounts for 25 percent of the final results. In late February, the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors will compile a mid-season team of the top 30 players in the nation. In March, the Naismith Trophy voting academy will narrow the list to four finalists.

Connecticut junior forward Maya Moore won the award in 2009 and will try to become the first player in history to win two Naismith awards in high school and two Naismith awards as a collegian. For more information on the Naismith Trophy, please visit www.naismithawards.com

2009-10 Naismith Trophy Preseason watch list: