Mid-Major Player of the Year Watch List
Every year, the nation’s best players are honored by three awards: the WBCA Wade Trophy, Naismith Player of the Year, and the John R. Wooden Award. However, no mid-major player has won any of those three awards since Missouri State’s Jackie Stiles won the Wade Trophy in 2001.
This got me thinking — Why is there no award given to the nation’s top mid-major player? The men’s game has the Lou Henson Award, but there is no analogous award for women’s basketball. So, why not make one?
To be eligible, a player may play for any conference except the Power 5 conferences, the Big East, and the American Athletic Conference. This leaves 25 eligible Division I conferences.
This early season watch list will be narrowed down to 15 at the beginning of January, and five finalists will be announced before the start of the NCAA Tournament in March. Players not listed on this watch list are still eligible for later watch lists. The list is alphabetical, and stats from 2018–19 do not include games against non-Division I opponents.
Bella Alarie, Princeton, G/F, Sr.
2018–19 Stats: 23.0 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.2 SPG, 2.9 BPG
Although Alarie missed all of November and most of January last season, the 6-foot-4 guard/forward still managed to rack up 505 points to average 23.0 points per game. She has battled injuries early this season as well, but when healthy Alarie has shown how dangerous she can be. Last season Alarie ranked in the top 10 in the nation in field goals attempted per game, while also ranking top 100 in points per play, making her the only player with that combination of volume and efficiency.
Roxy Barahman, Yale, G, Sr.
2018–19 Stats: 18.6 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 3.9 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Barahman increased her scoring average by more than five points per game between her sophomore and junior seasons, and a 20-point scoring average is within reach for the All-Ivy League guard. Last season Barahman led Yale to its first road win against Princeton in a decade with a career-high 33 points. The Bulldogs finished fourth in the Ivy League preseason poll, but have a real chance to make a run at their first conference title since 1979 if Barahman can take her game to the next level.
Ashley Bates, Hampton, G, Sr.
2018–19 Stats: 17.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.8 APG, 4.2 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Bates made huge strides going into her junior year, increasing her scoring average by 7.6 points per game in 2018–19. Her 4.2 steals per game last season ranks second among returning players, and she also posted above-average rebounding and block numbers for a guard.
Nicole Cardaño-Hillary, George Mason, G, Jr.
2018–19 Stats: 20.4 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.2 APG, 2.2 SPG
Cardaño-Hillary contributes on both sides of the ball for George Mason, and in 2018–19 she led the Patriots in points, assists, and steals. The junior finished with a usage rate of 36.0 percent last season, which was the seventh-highest in the country. The Madrid, Spain native reached 600 points in each of her first two seasons, and this year is unlikely to be any different.
Ciara Duffy, South Dakota, G, Sr.
2018–19 Stats: 15.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.1 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Duffy has been a steady presence for South Dakota throughout its ascension to the top of the mid-major ranks, and the senior has already come up huge just three games into the season. Duffy put up 20-plus points in each of the Yotes’ first three games this season, including an overtime win over Drake that included a furious 17-point comeback. Duffy has also averaged 6.4 assists per game this season, which is 20th in the nation.
Dee Givens, Western Ky., F, R-Sr.
2018–19 Stats: 17.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.8 APG, 2.8 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Givens was an incredibly efficient scorer last season, largely due to her three-point shooting prowess. The forward went 76-of-214 from beyond the arc, and her 40.2 percent three-point shooting percentage can cause problems for any teams trying to guard the 6-foot-1 forward with a traditional big.
Erica Haynes-Overton, ETSU, G, Jr.
2018–19 Stats: 16.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.5 APG, 3.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Haynes-Overton has the ability to take over the game on both sides of the ball. Last season’s ETSU Bucs won just 10 games all season, but in the 2019–20 season opener Haynes-Overton tallied 41 points, 10 rebounds, and seven steals to nearly upset Tennessee. Early in the season, the junior is in the top 15 nationally in points and steals per game.
Summer Hemphill, Buffalo, F, Sr.
2018–19 Stats: 14.5 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.4 BPG
With the departure of Cierra Dillard, Hemphill now moves to the top of the Bulls’ pecking order. 14.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per game is impressive enough, but her scoring should see a significant jump with Dillard’s 25-plus points per game up for grabs. A 20/10 season is within reach, though Hemphill has yet to make her season debut as she remains out with a leg injury.
Valerie Higgins, Pacific, G, R-Jr.
2018–19 Stats: 17.2 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 3.3 APG, 3.1 SPG, 1.2 BPG
Higgins has one been one of the most dynamic players in the NCAA since transferring from USC following her freshman season. Through four games, the redshirt junior is averaging just 10.8 points per game, but her total rebounding rate is higher than last season and her steal rate of 6.0 percent ranks 24th in the NCAA.
Becca Hittner, Drake, G, Sr.
2018–19 Stats: 19.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Hittner is vying for a three-peat as the Jackie Stiles MVC Player of the Year after leading the Valley in scoring in her junior year. The 6-foot guard got off to a relatively slow start to the season, but she steadily increased her scoring average to 15.6 points per game against very tough competition.
Cierra Hooks, Ohio, G, Jr.
2018–19 Stats: 17.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 4.0 APG, 3.1 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Ohio returned four double-digit scorers from last season, so it is unlikely Hooks will see a major increase in scoring average compared to last year. However, this balanced offensive attack should help Hooks keep her assist rate, which was 44th in the country, at an elite level. Early in the year, her assist rate (27.9%) is in the top 10% of the NCAA.
Stella Johnson, Rider, G, Sr.
2018–19 Stats: 18.8 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.4 APG, 2.5 SPG, 0.8 BPG
Johnson is a stat-sheet stuffer and was named to the 2019–20 Citizen Naismith Trophy Watch List after finishing last season in the top 100 for points, assists, and steals per game. The senior has already recorded three 20-plus point games this season, including a total of 80 points on consecutive days against Lipscomb and North Florida. Her scoring average of 30.8 points per game is the highest in the nation by more than four points.
Natalie Kucowski, Lafayette, F, Jr.
2018–19 Stats: 15.0 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.5 SPG, 2.3 BPG
Despite a slightly below average scoring efficiency in 2018–19 (0.91 points per scoring attempt was 1,946th out of 3,107 players) the Lafayette forward still put up 15 points per contest. Her efficiency looks to be trending upwards through three games in 2019–20, and if she can match the 11.1 boards, 2.7 assists, and 2.3 blocks she averaged last season, Kucowski will be a dominant force in the Patriot League.
Ericka Mattingly, Kansas City, G, Sr.
2018–19 Stats: 19.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 5.6 APG, 3.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Mattingly made an immediate impact for the Roos last season after transferring from Butler Community College, averaging nearly 20 points per game. That was more than five points higher than in her final season at Butler CC. The Wichita, Kan. guard led the WAC in points, assists, and steals per game and recorded two of the three triple-doubles in UMKC history.
Blanca Millan, Maine, G, Sr.
2018–19 Stats: 17.2 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.1 APG, 2.8 SPG, 1.4 BPG
Except for the guard/forward Bella Alarie, Blanca Millan posted the highest blocks per game total of any of the guards on this watch list. Millan has averaged around 17 points per game each of the last two seasons, but this season the senior got off to a hot start and scored 64 of Maine’s 139 points through two games.
Niya Mitchell, Texas Southern, F, Sr.
2018–19 Stats: 14.3 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 2.3 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Mitchell has averaged 16.0 points per game this season, including strong showings against Iowa State (27 points, eight rebounds, six steals) and top-ranked Oregon (12 points, six rebounds). The senior forward has averaged 4.0 steals per game, which ranks fifth in the country.
Nancy Mulkey, Rice, C, Jr.
2018–19 Stats: 13.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.7 SPG, 3.9 BPG
Mulkey led the NCAA in blocks per game last season at 3.92, and she is already off to a hot start in defending her title. Through four games, the junior has averaged 4.2 blocks per game including a school-record 11 against SMU en route to her first career triple-double.
Madison Nelson, Denver, F, Sr.
2018–19 Stats: 16.5 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.1 BPG
Nelson does a little bit of everything. No single stat will jump out at you, but the combination of offensive and defensive ability makes her difficult to gameplan for. She recorded 17 in the final 28 games of 2018–19, including a 23-point, 20-rebound explosion against Lamar. The senior already has four double-doubles in five games this season and was a rebound away from a fifth against Kansas City.
Erica Ogwumike, Rice, G, R-Sr.
2018–19 Stats: 16.5 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Greatness is in Erica Ogwumike’s genes, and the youngest of four sisters is forging her own legacy at Rice. Ogwumike averaged 16.5 points per contest to go with 10.5 rebounds despite a drop in her three-point shooting percentage (37.8 to 29.8). The guard is one of two Rice student-athletes on the watch list, making rice one of two teams with multiple selections.
Gia Pack, New Mexico St., G, Sr.
2018–19 Stats: 17.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 3.5 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Pack shoots a lot from beyond the arc, 6.2 attempts per game, and her ability to score hinges on her success from deep. Pack’s scoring has been somewhat inconsistent early this season. The senior has four games of 18-plus points through six games but has been held to just 12 total points in the other two. Pack went a combined 0-of-6 from deep in those games. Despite a few rough games, she is still averaging 15.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per contest.
Eleah Parker, Penn, C, Jr.
2018–19 Stats: 14.9 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 0.9 APG, 1.0 SPG, 3.2 BPG
Penn lost two of its three double-digit scorers from a year ago, paving the way for Parker to increase her scoring average significantly. The junior is also an efficient rebounder, especially on the offensive glass. Last season she finished in the top 50 with 3.6 offensive boards per game, and this season she has hauled in as many rebounds on offense as she has on defense. Parker is also a prolific shot-blocker; her 3.2 blocks per game were the third-best in the NCAA last season.
Sara Rhine, Drake, F, R-Sr.
2018–19 Stats: 18.2 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.1 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.5 BPG
The Eldon, Mo. native has established herself as one of the most efficient scorers in the nation, and she has done so on top of a high volume. Rhine finished with 1.3 points per scoring attempt or higher in each of her first three complete seasons, each of which was in the top 20 among Division I players. The redshirt senior has gotten off to a strong start this season, averaging 20.4 points per game in five games, three against 2019 NCAA Tournament teams. The redshirt senior is fewer than 250 points from reaching 2,000 career points.
Tesia Thompson, Southeast Mo. St., G, Jr.
2018–19 Stats: 19.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.4 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Thompson was a workhorse for SEMO last season. The guard finished 2018–19 in the top five percent of Division I players in points, rebounds, and steals per game and was 26th in the nation in usage rate at 33.1 percent. The junior is especially adept at getting to the charity stripe. Last season, 28.7% of her points came from the free-throw line, which was in the top 10% of players.
Ivy Wallen, North Ala., G, Sr.
2018–19 Stats: 14.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Wallen is an excellent facilitator, and the senior led the nation in assists per game with 9.1 as a sophomore in North Alabama’s last season in Division II. Wallen handled the move to Division I well, and her 6.0 assists per game last season ranked 11th in Division I. The senior doesn’t look to be slowing down, as she has averaged an NCAA-leading 9.7 assists through four games with three games in double-digits.
DJ Williams, Coastal Carolina, G, Sr.
2018–19 Stats: 18.9 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 3.9 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Williams led the Chanticleers in points, steals and assists last season, and was second on the team in rebounds and blocks. Williams put her full skill set on display in Coastal Carolina’s recent win over Wofford, finishing with 21 points, seven steals, four rebounds, and two blocks.
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