ATLANTA – The Atlanta Tipoff Club announced the 30 women’s basketball players included on the midseason watch list for the 2019 Citizen Naismith Trophy Women’s Player of the Year award on Monday. A record five Notre Dame players made the list with Marina Mabrey, Arike Ogunbowale, Jessica Shepard, Brianna Turner and Jackie Young.
Notre Dame looks to claim its first Citizen Naismith Trophy for Women’s Player of the Year since Ruth Riley in 2001. One Irish in particular, junior guard Jackie Young, has a little history with the Naismith Trophy – winning the high school version of the award in 2016.
On March 4, the competition will narrow as the midseason team of 30 becomes 10 national semifinalists. The four finalists will be announced on March 22, and the 2019 Citizen Naismith Trophy for Women’s Player of the Year will be announced on April 6.
All five starters average over 12.5 points per game, accounting for 90 percent of the team’s scoring, for an offense that ranks third in the country. The Irish have posted a 22-3 overall record against the nation’s No. 1 strength of schedule, earning the No. 1 ranked RPI.
The Irish also rank in the top 10 nationally in assists, blocks, field goal percentage, free throw attempts and makes, total rebounds and scoring margin.
All five are certainly leaving their mark as well. Ogunobwale is on pace to break the all-time scoring record. Mabrey is on pace for most career three-pointers. Turner is challenging for the all-time blocks record. In addition, Shepard has already achieved over 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds for her career.
2019 Citizen Naismith Trophy Women’s Midseason Team
NAME | CLASS | POSITION | SCHOOL | CONFERENCE |
Kristine Anigwe | Sr. | C/F | California | Pac-12 |
Kalani Brown | Sr. | C | Baylor | Big 12 |
Bridget Carleton | Sr. | G | Iowa State | Big 12 |
Chennedy Carter | So. | G | Texas A&M | SEC |
Kaila Charles | Jr. | G | Maryland | Big Ten |
Napheesa Collier | Sr. | F | UConn | AAC |
Lauren Cox | Jr. | F | Baylor | Big 12 |
Sophie Cunningham | Sr. | G | Missouri | SEC |
Crystal Dangerfield | Jr. | G | UConn | AAC |
Asia Durr | Sr. | G | Louisville | ACC |
Megan Gustafson | Sr. | F | Iowa | Big Ten |
Ruthy Hebard | Jr. | F | Oregon | Pac-12 |
Natisha Hiedeman | Sr. | G | Marquette | BIG EAST |
Anriel Howard | Sr. | F | Mississippi State | SEC |
Megan Huff | Sr. | F | Utah | Pac-12 |
Sabrina Ionescu | Jr. | G | Oregon | Pac-12 |
Marina Mabrey | Sr. | G | Notre Dame | ACC |
Tiana Mangakahia | Jr. | G | Syracuse | ACC |
Tynice Martin | Jr. | G | West Virginia | Big 12 |
Teaira McCowan | Sr. | C | Mississippi State | SEC |
Beatrice Mompremier | Jr. | F | Miami | ACC |
Maci Morris | Sr. | G | Kentucky | SEC |
Arike Ogunbowale | Sr. | G | Notre Dame | ACC |
Satou Sabally | So. | F | Oregon | Pac-12 |
Katie Lou Samuelson | Sr. | G | UConn | AAC |
Jessica Shepard | Sr. | F | Notre Dame | ACC |
Destiny Slocum | So. | G | Oregon State | Pac-12 |
Alanna Smith | Sr. | F | Stanford | Pac-12 |
Brianna Turner | Sr. | F | Notre Dame | ACC |
Jackie Young | Jr. | G | Notre Dame | ACC |
— ND —