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Griner Named to Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List

Brittney Griner

Brittney Griner

Nov. 23, 2009

ATLANTA - Baylor freshman Brittney Griner was one of 50 players named to the Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List announced on Wednesday, Nov. 18, by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.

Griner, a 6-8 freshman forward from Houston, Texas, is one of just three freshman named to the 50-player list, joining Notre Dame's Skylar Diggins and Elena Delle Donne of Delaware.

In addition, Griner is one of six players from the Big 12 Conference to earn a spot on the Preseason Naismith Trophy Watch List, joining Nebraska senior Kelsey Griffin, Kansas senior Danielle McCray, Oklahoma State senior Andrea Riley, Oklahoma junior Danielle Robinson and Kansas State senior Ashley Sweat.

The Naismith Trophy Watch List is compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors, which base its criteria on player performances from the previous year and expectations for the 2009-10 season. The Naismith Trophy presented by AT&T will be awarded at the 2010 NCAA Women's Final Four in San Antonio, Texas.

Fans can participate in selecting the winner through text messaging, which accounts for 25 percent of the final results. In late February, the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors will compile a mid-season team of the top 30 players in the nation. In March, the Naismith Trophy voting academy will narrow the list to four finalists.

Connecticut junior forward Maya Moore won the award in 2009 and will try to become the first player in history to win two Naismith awards in high school and two Naismith awards as a collegian. For more information on the Naismith Trophy, please visit www.naismithawards.com

2009-10 Naismith Trophy Preseason watch list:

Last Name First Name School Position Class
Appel Jayne Stanford Center Senior
Barlow Ashley Notre Dame Guard Senior
Breland Jessica North Carolina Forward Senior
Charles Tina UCONN Center Senior
Clark Alysha Middle Tennessee Forward Senior
DeHaan Allyssa Michigan State Center Senior
Delle Donne Elena Delaware Forward/Guard Freshman
Diggins Skylar Notre Dame Guard Freshman
Evans Dawn James Madison Guard Junior
Fitz Rachele Marist Forward Senior
Grant Tyra Penn State Guard Senior
Gray-Lawson Alexis California Guard Senior
Griffin Kelsey Nebraska Forward Senior
Griner Brittney Baylor Center Freshman
Hardy Lele Clemson Forward/Guard Senior
Harris Amber Xavier Forward Junior
Hayes Tiffany UCONN Guard Sophomore
Hightower Allison LSU Guard Senior
Houts Ashley Georgia Guard Senior
Hughes Jareica UTEP Guard Senior
Jaeschke Amy Northwestern Center Junior
Johnson Shenise Miami Forward Sophomore
Lavender Jantel Ohio State Center Junior
Lucas Italee North Carolina Guard Junior
Marginean Gabriela Drexel Forward Senior
McCray Danielle Kansas Forward/Guard Senior
Monroe Jacinta Florida State Forward Senior
Montgomery Alex Georgia Tech Forward/Guard Junior
Moore Maya UCONN Forward Junior
Morris Jené San Diego State Guard Senior
Naughton Deirdre DePaul Guard Senior
Pedersen Kayla Stanford Forward Junior
Phillips Ta'Shia Xavier Center Junior
Pohlen Jeanette Stanford Guard Junior
Prahalis Samantha Ohio State Guard Sophomore
Raven Brittainey Texas Guard Senior
Riley Andrea Oklahoma State Guard Senior
Robinson Danielle Oklahoma Guard Junior
Robinson Angel Marquette Guard Junior
Smith Jenna Illinois Center Senior
Stevens Da'Shena St. John's Forward Sophomore
Stricklen Shekinna Tennessee Forward/Guard Sophomore
Sverrisdottir Helena TCU Guard Junior
Sweat Ashley Kansas State Forward Senior
Swords Carolyn Boston College Center Junior
Thomas Bianca Ole Miss Guard Senior
Thomas Jasmine Duke Guard Junior
Vandersloot Courtney Gonzaga Guard Junior
Whipple Kalee Utah Forward Senior
Wright Monica Virginia Guard Senior