Women's basketball's second top-16 reveal unveils 2021 NCAA tournament region names
The Naismith Trophy announced its semifinalists for the 2021 Women's Player of the Year award. The list includes 11 players instead of the usual 10, due to a tie among voters.
Six conferences are represented among the semifinalists. Kentucky's Rhyne Howard returns to the 2021 list after becoming a finalist in 2020.
Sabrina Ionescu from Oregon won the 2020 prize.
NAISMITH HONORS: 2021 Midseason Team for Defensive Player of the Year
The list will be narrowed to four finalists on March 19.
The winner of the 2021 Jersey Mike's Naismith Women's College Player of the Year Award will be announced April 3, the day before the national championship game.
The full semifinalist list is below.
| name | class | position | school | conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aliyah Boston | So. | F | South Carolina | SEC |
| Paige Bueckers | Fr. | G | UConn | Big East |
| Caitlin Clark | Fr. | G | Iowa | Big Ten |
| Charli Collier | Jr. | F/C | Texas | Big 12 |
| Elissa Cunane | Jr. | C | NC State | ACC |
| Dana Evans | Sr. | G | Louisville | ACC |
| Naz Hillmon | Jr. | F | Michigan | Big Ten |
| Rhyne Howard | Jr. | G | Kentucky | SEC |
| Aari McDonald | Sr. | F | Arizona | Pac-12 |
| Michaela Onyenwere | Sr. | F | UCLA | Pac-12 |
| NaLyssa Smith | Jr. | F | Baylor | Big 12 |
