SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced Monday the 20 watch list candidates for the 2019 Nancy Lieberman Award, and DePaul junior Kelly Campbell is among the leading candidates.
Campbell is an All-BIG EAST First Team selection who helped lead the Blue Demons to their fifth consecutive BIG EAST regular-season title and their third conference crown in the last five years. She was also a key reason why coach Doug Bruno’s program made its 16th consecutive NCAA tournament appearance.
The point guard from Wall, N.J. was named Street & Smith Preseason All-America Third Team earlier this month and was one assist shy last December from becoming the first player in BIG EAST history to record back-to-back triple-doubles.
She finished second in the nation in assist-turnover ratio last season and was No. 18 in total assists. Campbell led DePaul in assist-turnover ratio, total assists, total rebounds and steals while averaging 10.6 points per game.
Now in its 20th year, the Lieberman Award recognizes the top point guard in women’s NCAA Division I college basketball. To be considered to this prestigious award, candidates exhibit the floor leadership, play-making and ball-handling skills of Class of 1996 Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman.
“As part of the Naismith Starting 5, the Basketball Hall of Fame is proud to annually present an award bearing the name of a trailblazing athlete and even better person – Nancy Lieberman,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “Like Ms. Lieberman, these student-athletes have worked tirelessly and are very deserving of our recognition that comes with being named to this elite list of prospective award winners.”
The Selection Committee for the Nancy Lieberman Award is composed of top women’s college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers.
In mid-February, the watch list of 20 players will be narrowed to just 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to Ms. Lieberman and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. Fans will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite finalist at
www.hoophallawards.com.
The winner of the 2019 Lieberman Award will be announced in April in Tampa, Florida, in conjunction with the NCAA Women’s Final Four and WBCA Convention.
Additional awards being presented include the Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard Award, the Cheryl Miller Small Forward Award, the Katrina McClain Power Forward Award and the Lisa Leslie Center Award, as well as the Wade Trophy---the sport’s oldest and most prestigious national player of the year award which is presented annually by the WBCA’s community of coaches to the best player in college women’s basketball. Broadcast information will be released by ESPN at a later date.
Previous winners of the Nancy Lieberman Award include Sabrina Ionescu, Oregon (2018), Kelsey Plum, Washington (2017), Moriah Jefferson, Connecticut (2015-16), Odyssey Sims, Baylor (2014), Skylar Diggins, Notre Dame (2012-13), Courtney Vandersloot, Gonzaga (2011), Andrea Riley, Oklahoma State (2010), Renee Montgomery, Connecticut (2009), Kristi Toliver, Maryland (2008), Lindsey Harding, Duke (2007), Ivory Latta, North Carolina (2006), Temeka Johnson, LSU (2005), Diana Taurasi, Connecticut (2003-04) and Sue Bird, Connecticut (2000-02).
For more information and the latest updates on the 2019 Nancy Lieberman Award, log onto
www.hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophall and #LiebermanAward on Twitter and Instagram.
2019 Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year Award Candidates
Laia Raventos, Charlotte
Kennedy Leonard, Colorado
Crystal Dangerfield, Connecticut
Kelly Campbell, DePaul
Kyra Lambert, Duke
Taja Cole, Georgia
Kayla Goth, Kansas State
Channise Lewis, Maryland
Kenisha Bell, Minnesota
Paris Kea, North Carolina
Marina Mabrey, Notre Dame
Chastadie Barrs, Lamar
Carmen Grande, Ohio State
Sabrina Ionescu, Oregon
Destiny Slocum, Oregon State
Jessica Kovatch, Saint Francis
Tyasha Harris, South Carolina
Tiana Mangakahia, Syracuse
Evina Westbrook, Tennessee
Chennedy Carter, Texas A&M