ATLANTA — The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced today the region finalists for the 2021 WBCA NCAA Division I Coaches’ All-America. Notre Dame’s Maddy Westbeld was announced as 1-of-9 honorees in the Region I division. Important to note, Westbeld is now just one of three Notre Dame freshman all-time to be recognized in her rookie season, joining Skylar Diggins-Smith (2010) and Brianna Turner (2015).
The selection committee will later choose the 10-member Coaches’ All-America team from these 52 finalists. That will be announced on Saturday, April 3.
Some of the many reasons @maddy_westbeld was named a @WBCA1981 All-America Regional Finalist today. Congrats 👏 👏 👏.
Joins @SkyDigg4 & @_Breezy_Briii to do so in her freshman season. #GoIrish ☘️ pic.twitter.com/X3eWPKIuQf
— Notre Dame WBB (@ndwbb) March 24, 2021
Westbeld was just the second Notre Dame player to win Rookie of the Year in the ACC, and sixth overall when looking at all conferences – joining the likes of Turner, Jewell Loyd, Jacqueline Batteast, Alicia Ratay and Beth (Morgan) Cunningham.
The Ohio native was the only freshman in the country who averaged at least 15 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.4 steals. Overall, she was just 1-of-8 players in all of Division-I.
In addition, her 15.2 ppg led all ACC rookies and ranked 10th overall in the league. Nationally, her scoring average ranked 11th among Division-I freshmen.
Historically speaking at Notre Dame, Westbeld’s scoring average ranked third all-time for a freshman behind Shari Matvey (17.6) and Beth Cunningham (17.9). Her 7.9 rebounds per game tied for fourth.
Below, you will find a complete list of all regional finalists:
Region 1
| Player | Institution |
| Janelle Bailey | University of North Carolina |
| Lorela Cubaj | Georgia Institute of Technology |
| Elissa Cunane | North Carolina State University |
| Anna DeWolfe | Fordham University |
| Dana Evans | University of Louisville |
| Morgan Jones | Florida State University |
| Lotta-Maj Lahtinen | Georgia Institute of Technology |
| Tiana Mangakahia | Syracuse University |
| Maddy Westbeld | University of Notre Dame |
Region 2
| Player | Institution |
| Shakira Austin | University of Mississippi |
| Aliyah Boston | University of South Carolina |
| Zia Cooke | University of South Carolina |
| Rennia Davis | University of Tennessee |
| Chelsea Dungee | University of Arkansas |
| Anastasia Hayes | Middle Tennessee State University |
| Rhyne Howard | University of Kentucky |
| Rickea Jackson | Mississippi State University |
| N’dea Jones | Texas A&M University |
| Micaela Kelly | Central Michigan University |
| Que Morrison | University of Georgia |
| Destiny Slocum | University of Arkansas |
| Jenna Staiti | University of Georgia |
| Unique Thompson | Auburn University |
| Jasmine Walker | University of Alabama |
Region 3
| Player | Institution |
| Kierstan Bell | Florida Gulf Coast University |
| Charli Collier | University of Texas |
| Kysre Gondrezick | West Virginia University |
| Vivian Gray | Texas Tech University |
| Ashley Joens | Iowa State University |
| Ayoka Lee | Kansas State University |
| Natasha Mack | Oklahoma State University |
| DiDi Richards | Baylor University |
| NaLyssa Smith | Baylor University |
| IImar’I Thomas | University of Cincinnati |
Region 4
| Player | Institution |
| Grace Berger | Indiana University |
| Paige Bueckers | University of Connecticut |
| Caitlin Clark | University of Iowa |
| Arella Guirantes | Rutgers University |
| Naz Hillmon | University of Michigan |
| Selena Lott | Marquette University |
| Diamond Miller | University of Maryland |
| Olivia Nelson-Ododa | University of Connecticut |
| Ashley Owusu | University of Maryland |
| Christyn Williams | University of Connecticut |
Region 5
| Player | Institution |
| Aleah Goodman | Oregon State University |
| Mya Hollingshed | University of Colorado |
| Charlisse Leger-Walker | Washington State University |
| Aari McDonald | University of Arizona |
| Michaela Onyenwere | University of California, Los Angeles |
| Charisma Osborne | University of California, Los Angeles |
| Myah Selland | South Dakota State University |
| Kiana Williams | Stanford University |
WBCA member head coaches may nominate players from their own teams for Coaches’ All-America. Head coaches then vote for the top eight players in their respective regions from among those players who are nominated. The selection committee, which is composed of head coaches from each region who are elected by their peers, may select up to 12 additional at-large finalists from the remaining pool of nominees for a total of 52 finalists.
— ND —