SPRINGFIELD, MASS. – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced today the 10 candidates for the 2018 Nancy Lieberman Award. Now in its nineteenth year, the award recognizes the top point guard in women’s NCAA Division I college basketball. Candidates exhibit the floor leadership, play-making and ball-handling skills of 1996 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Nancy Lieberman.
“For many years, the Basketball Hall of Fame has been proud to present the Nancy Lieberman Award to the top female point guard in the game,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “This week, we’ll announce not just the top ten candidates for this award, but four more positional awards as well. We’re excited to recognize these female student-athletes who have worked tirelessly to achieve their goals and follow the trail blazed by Ms. Lieberman.”
The Selection Committee for the Nancy Lieberman Award is composed of top women’s college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers. In March, five finalists will be presented to Ms. Lieberman and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. Fans will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite finalists to determine the Naismith Starting 5 at www.hoophallawards.com.
The winner of the 2018 Nancy Lieberman Point Guard 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. Additional awards being presented include the Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard Award, the Cheryl Miller Small Forward Award, the Katrina McClain Power Forward Award and the Lisa Leslie Center Award, as well as 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.
Previous winners of the Nancy Lieberman Award include Kelsey Plum, Washington (2017), MoriahJefferson, Connecticut (2015-16), Odyssey Sims, Baylor (2014), Skylar Diggins, Notre Dame (2012-13), Courtney Vandersloot, Gonzaga (2011), Andrea Riley, Oklahoma State (2010), ReneeMontgomery, Connecticut (2009), Kristi Toliver, Maryland (2008), Lindsey Harding, Duke (2007), Ivory Latta, North Carolina (2006), Temeka Johnson, LSU (2005), Diana Taurasi,Connecticut (2003-04), and Sue Bird, Connecticut (2000-02).
For more information on the 2018 Nancy Lieberman Award, log onto www.hoophallawards.com.
| Name | School |
| Kia Nurse | Connecticut |
| Lexie Brown | Duke |
| AJ Alix | Florida State |
| Katelynn Flaherty | Michigan |
| Kelsey Mitchell | Ohio State |
| Sabrina Ionescu | Oregon |
| Jessica Kovatch | St. Francis (PA) |
| Tiana Mangakahia | Syracuse |
| Brooke McCarty | Texas |
| Jordin Canada | UCLA |
*Players can play their way onto and off of the list at any point in the 2017-18 season*
