WBCA announces watchlist for 2017 Wade Trophy

ATLANTA — 2016 WBCA Coaches’ All-Americans Nina Davis of Baylor, Kelsey Mitchell of Ohio State, Kelsey Plum of Washington, Brianna Turner of Notre Dame and A’ja Wilson of South Carolina headline the “Wade Watch” list of candidates for the 2017 Wade Trophy, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced Thursday.

The Wade Trophy — now in its 40th year — is the oldest and most prestigious national player of the year award in college women’s basketball. It is named in honor of the late, legendary Delta State head coach Lily Margaret Wade, who won three consecutive national championships with the Lady Statesmen. First awarded in 1978 by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), now known as SHAPE America, the The Wade Trophy has been presented to the WBCA NCAA Division I National Player of the Year since 2001.

The “Wade Watch” list of candidates for The Wade Trophy is composed of 25 players selected by the WBCA NCAA Division I Coaches’ All-America Selection Committee. The committee will review the list in January to determine if additional players will be added based on their play during the first half of the 2016-17 season.

Here is the list: