Laksa Recognized as Final Five for National Award

[Brad]

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DATE: Feb. 27, 2018

 

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Laksa Recognized as Final Five for National Award

Junior Kitija Laksa is one of five finalists for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award

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.

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[DELdaBull]

If Samuelson doesn't win that will be a monumental upset. 

[raptorcj]

nice nod to her talent, she's earning it. Can't wait to see how she develops & returns for her senior season. Will she deepen her role playing as the 3-pt queen or give more work to her paint game? Much as I've been impressed by her shooting, she's clearly worked on her athleticism and vision--I'd love to see her develop into the all-around player she can be, but I'm just glad Kit is a Bull no matter what she does.

[BullyPulpit]

I'd love to see her become an on-court leader and lose the bad attitude. When she is on, she is a lethal shooter, when she is off, man, can she use a Snickers.

[Ned A Starr RIP]

Nice recognition, but unfortunately....

4 hours ago, DELdaBull said:

If Samuelson doesn't win that will be a monumental upset. 

Is spot on!

Edited February 28, 2018 by NAS Gone to Paradise

[charsibb]

Wow, that's some rare air up there.

Congrats Kitija!!

[Bausfkid]

The best player in the country isn't even listed among the finalists.  Collier for UConn is a great basketball player and blows Samuelson's stats away.  

[raptorcj]

2 hours ago, Bausfkid said:

The best player in the country isn't even listed among the finalists.  Collier for UConn is a great basketball player and blows Samuelson's stats away.  

I guess that's one of the problems with being a giant in the middle of a bunch of giants...I'm sure she'd still rather be where she is though.

[Ned A Starr RIP]

2 hours ago, Bausfkid said:

The best player in the country isn't even listed among the finalists.  Collier for UConn is a great basketball player and blows Samuelson's stats away.  

She’s not listed for a good reason...this isn’t Best Player Award.

[Apis Bull]

3 hours ago, Bausfkid said:

The best player in the country isn't even listed among the finalists.  Collier for UConn is a great basketball player and blows Samuelson's stats away.  

She's a forward, not a shooting guard