University of Connecticut Athletics
Collier Named McClain Award Finalist
3/14/2019 12:52:00 PM | Women's Basketball
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – UConn senior Napheesa Collier was announced as one of five finalists for the 2019 Katrina McClain Award by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Thursday. In its second year, the award recognizes the top power forward in women's NCAA Division I college basketball.
Colllier was named the American Athletic Conference's Player and Defensive Player of the Year and was tabbed the conference tournament's Most Outstanding Player. She leads UConn with 20.9 points and 10.5 rebounds per game and has 20 double-doubles on the season. She was a unanimous All-Conference First Team pick and was named a candidate for the Naismith Trophy and the Wooden Award.
Collier was a finalist for the McClain Award in 2018.
The other finalist for the McClain Award are Lauren Cox (Baylor), Reyna Frost (Central Michigan), Ruthy Hebard (Oregon) and Alanna Smith (Stanford).
A national committee comprising top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 student-athletes in October, which was narrowed to 10 candidates in February and now just five finalists. This month, five finalists will be presented to Ms. McClain-Pittman and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The winner of the 2019 Katrina McClain Power Forward of the Year 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 15-29.
The winner of the 2019 Katrina McClain Power Forward Award will be revealed during the WBCA Coaches' All-America/Naismith Starting 5 Presentation on Thursday, April 4, at the Women's Final Four in Tampa, Florida. Additional awards being presented and recognized at the award show include the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard Award, the Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard Award, the Cheryl Miller Small Forward Award and the Lisa Leslie Center Award. Also being awarded is the Wade Trophy, the sport's oldest and most prestigious national player of the year award which is presented annually by the WBCA's community of coaches to the best player in college women's basketball.
