(L to R): Chanise Jenkins, Aliyyah Handford, Tabatha Richardson-Smith
ATLANTA, Ga. – Three BIG EAST Conference players were named to the Naismith Trophy Women’s Early Season Watch List. BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year Aliyyah Handford, a senior from St. John’s, DePaul senior Chanise Jenkins and Seton Hall senior Tabatha Richardson-Smith were named by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors as candidates for the annual award which recognizes the nation’s top college basketball player.
Each year, the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors chooses the 50 players for the “Naismith Watch List" as well as the mid-season team of 30 candidates (Feb. 10). The Naismith voting academy narrows that group down to 10 semifinalist (March 3) before four finalist make up the final ballot (March 18). The voting academy, comprised of leading basketball journalists, coaches and administrators from around the country, base its criteria on player performance throughout the season.
Old Dominion’s Anne Donovan won the inaugural Women’s Naismith Trophy in 1983, while eight BIG EAST players have previously won the award. The 2015-16 season honoree will be announced on April 4.
Handford makes the list for the second year in a row and currently ranks second in the BIG EAST in scoring at 19.0 points per game. She is among the league leaders in steals, assists and field goal percentage as well. Jenkins is the BIG EAST’s active career leader in assists and is second in steals behind Handford. Through nine games this season, the DePaul guard’s 4.9 assists per game average ranks fourth the league. Richardson-Smith led Seton Hall to its first NCAA Tournament berth in two decades last season and is on a similar pace this year. The senior wing player is fourth in the BIG EAST in scoring and ninth in rebounding over the first nine games. Handford was an All-BIG EAST First Team pick in 2014-15, while Richardson-Smith and Jenkins were Second Team selections.
For the full Naismith Trophy Women’s 50 Watch List, click
HERE.