Feb. 26, 2010
WACO, Texas - The Atlanta Tipoff Club announced that Baylor freshman Brittney Griner is one of the 30 midseason candidates for the 2010 Women's Naismith Trophy presented by AT&T. Griner is one of just two freshmen on the prestigious list. The Big 12 Conference is well represented, leading the way with five student-athletes, followed by the Big 10, Big East and Southeastern Conference (SEC) with four apiece.
The list was voted on by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors, comprised of leading basketball journalists from around the country. The board based its criteria on player performances this season.
Griner, a 6-8 post, leads the 17th-ranked Lady Bears with 18.9 points, 9.0 rebounds and 6.0 blocks per game. The Houston, Texas, native leads the Big 12 conference and ranks No. 2 nationally in blocks per game and owns both the Big 12 and Baylor single-season block record, currently at 161, and ranks No. 2 on Baylor's career block chart. Griner has produced a nation-leading three triple doubles this season and has registered four dunks, including two in one game.
Other Big 12 representatives include seniors Danielle McCray (Kansas), Kelsey Griffin (Nebraska), Andrea Riley (Oklahoma State) and junior Danielle Robinson (Oklahoma).
The Naismith Trophy presented by AT&T is the most prestigious national basketball award and is given annually to the women's college basketball player of the year. This year, the award will be presented at the NCAA Women's Final Four in San Antonio, Texas.
"The consistent theme among these candidates is that they display hard work, dedication and passion for basketball both on and off the court said Gary Stokan, Atlanta Tipoff Club president. "They all exhibit the outstanding traits that make them worthy for consideration of the prestigious Naismith Trophy."
As a presenting sponsor since 2005, AT&T has set the standard in fan participation in determining this year's winner. Through the power and ease of text messaging, fan voting will account for an unprecedented 25 percent of the final results - more than any other national college basketball award.
Beginning March 22, AT&T wireless customers - and sports fans on other wireless networks - will be able to text their votes for the player of their choice. Fans will be eligible to cast their vote for the winner until 11:59 p.m. EDT on Saturday, April 3, 2010. AT&T is making the voting open to other wireless carriers, allowing even more fans to participate. Other wireless carriers must opt-in for their subscribers to participate. Standard messaging rates apply.
For a complete listing of candidates, please visit www.naismithawards.com.
