ATLANTA (February 11, 2019) – Notre Dame looks to claim its first Citizen Naismith Trophy for Women’s Player of the Year since Ruth Riley in 2001, with a record five players in today’s announcement of the midseason team by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. The 2018 NCAA Women’s Basketball Champion has five candidates—Marina Mabrey, Arike Ogunbowale, Jessica Shepard, Brianna Turner and Jackie Young, who won the Naismith High School Trophy in 2016—seeking the coveted honor. UConn, which has won more Citizen Naismith Trophies (10) than any other school, and Oregon come in with three players on the list apiece, including the winner of the 2015 Naismith High School Trophy, Katie Lou Samuelson.
The midseason team includes 30 women’s players representing 20 colleges in seven different conferences across the U.S. Overall, eight players on the Women’s Watch List represent the ACC, and the Pac-12 is a close runner-up with seven candidates included.
“We’ve had an amazing season of women’s college basketball so far, and the competition will only get tougher from here on out on the road to awarding the 2019 Women’s Citizen Naismith Trophy,” said Eric Oberman, executive director of the Atlanta Tipoff Club. “As the season continues, we’re excited to watch these 30 women play and compete for the top honor.”
On March 4, 2019, the competition will narrow as the midseason team of 30 becomes 10 national semifinalists. The four finalists will be announced on March 22, 2019, and the 2019 Citizen Naismith Trophy for Women’s Player of the Year will be announced on April 6, 2019.
“The 30 players included on the midseason team have shown talent and drive worthy of the Citizen Naismith Trophy,” said Eric Horowitz, managing director U.S. and travel retail, Citizen Watch Company of America, Inc. “We are looking forward to watching these women compete for the honor of Women’s Player of the Year.”
2019 Citizen Naismith Trophy Women’s Midseason Team
| NAME | CLASS | POSITION | SCHOOL | CONFERENCE |
| Kristine Anigwe | Sr. | C/F | California | Pac-12 |
| Kalani Brown | Sr. | C | Baylor | Big 12 |
| Bridget Carleton | Sr. | G | Iowa State | Big 12 |
| Chennedy Carter | So. | G | Texas A&M | SEC |
| Kaila Charles | Jr. | G | Maryland | Big Ten |
| Napheesa Collier | Sr. | F | UConn | AAC |
| Lauren Cox | Jr. | F | Baylor | Big 12 |
| Sophie Cunningham | Sr. | G | Missouri | SEC |
| Crystal Dangerfield | Jr. | G | UConn | AAC |
| Asia Durr | Sr. | G | Louisville | ACC |
| Megan Gustafson | Sr. | F | Iowa | Big Ten |
| Ruthy Hebard | Jr. | F | Oregon | Pac-12 |
| Natisha Hiedeman | Sr. | G | Marquette | BIG EAST |
| Anriel Howard | Sr. | F | Mississippi State | SEC |
| Megan Huff | Sr. | F | Utah | Pac-12 |
| Sabrina Ionescu | Jr. | G | Oregon | Pac-12 |
| Marina Mabrey | Sr. | G | Notre Dame | ACC |
| Tiana Mangakahia | Jr. | G | Syracuse | ACC |
| Tynice Martin | Jr. | G | West Virginia | Big 12 |
| Teaira McCowan | Sr. | C | Mississippi State | SEC |
| Beatrice Mompremier | Jr. | F | Miami | ACC |
| Maci Morris | Sr. | G | Kentucky | SEC |
| Arike Ogunbowale | Sr. | G | Notre Dame | ACC |
| Satou Sabally | So. | F | Oregon | Pac-12 |
| Katie Lou Samuelson | Sr. | G | UConn | AAC |
| Jessica Shepard | Sr. | F | Notre Dame | ACC |
| Destiny Slocum | So. | G | Oregon State | Pac-12 |
| Alanna Smith | Sr. | F | Stanford | Pac-12 |
| Brianna Turner | Sr. | F | Notre Dame | ACC |
| Jackie Young | Jr. | G | Notre Dame | ACC |
ABOUT THE ATLANTA TIPOFF CLUB
Founded during the 1956-57 season, the Atlanta Tipoff Club is committed to promoting the game of basketball and recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of those who make the game so exciting. The Atlanta Tipoff Club administers the Naismith Awards, the most prestigious national honors in all of college and high school basketball. Named in honor of Dr. James Naismith, inventor of the game of basketball, the family of Naismith Awards annually recognizes the most outstanding men’s and women’s college and high school basketball players and coaches. Other Naismith Awards are presented to the men’s and women’s college basketball defensive players of the year, as well as lifetime achievement awards to basketball officials and outstanding contributors to the game. UCLA’s Lew Alcindor received the first Citizen Naismith Trophy in 1969, while the late Anne Donovan (Old Dominion) was the inaugural women’s recipient in 1983. Corporate partners of the Naismith Awards include Bona, Citizen Watch Company and Werner Ladder.
ABOUT CITIZEN
Citizen, a pioneer in watchmaking and innovative technology since 1918, promotes excellence and creativity with a deep-rooted respect for craftsmanship. Citizen advocates “Better Starts Now,” searching for and accomplishing goals that are cause driven. In this respect, Citizen aligns with organizations and personalities that reflect the values of the brand including the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, Naismith Awards, National Merit Scholarship, and Good360.
For over 40 years, Citizen’s Eco-Drive technology has served as the prime example of how the brand is dedicated to making the world and its environment a better place. A simple yet revolutionary concept, Eco-Drive harnesses the power of light from any natural or artificial light source and converts it into energy, eliminating the need for any battery replacement.
Press Release Credit: WVU Athletics Communications
Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
