Danielle McCray Named To Naismith Award Midseason List
Feb. 25, 2010
ATLANTA – The Atlanta Tipoff Club today announced the 30 midseason candidates for the 2010 Women’s Naismith Trophy presented by AT&T, with Kansas senior guard-forward Danielle McCray earning a spot on the list for the second-straight season.
McCray, whose Jayhawk career was ended with a knee injury suffered on Feb. 4, concluded her Kansas career as one of the all-time greats in the history of the program. McCray tallied 1,934 points in 116 career games. Her 1,934 points ranks fourth on the Kansas all-time scoring chart.
The Olathe, Kan., native’s name is all over the KU record books as she ranks in the top 10 in nine categories in addition to scoring. She ranks second in three-point field goals made (205) and three-point field goals attempted (544), third in three-point field goal percentage (37.7), fourth in field goals made (710), fourth in field goals attempted (1,654), fourth in free throw percentage (78.8), eighth in minutes played (3,446), ninth in fouls (326) and 10th in free throws made (309).
McCray was named the 2009 Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year by the league coaches and earned Preseason First Team All-Big 12 honors. She was selected by ESPN.com as a Preseason Second Team All-American and picked up the same honor from Athlon Sports. ESPN.com also tabbed McCray as the one of the top five small forwards in the NCAA entering the 2009-10 season.
Additionally, McCray was one of 12 players selected to suit up for USA Basketball’s 2009 World University Games team and helped lead the Red, White & Blue to the gold medal in Belgrade, Serbia in July of 2009. McCray averaged 12.0 points per game, which ranked second on the team.
McCray earned All-Big 12 First Team honors and was an Honorable Mention All-America selection by both the Associated Press and State Farm following her junior season in which she helped lead the Jayhawks to a 22-14 overall mark and an appearance in the WNIT title game.
The Big 12 Conference led the way with five student-athletes on the list, followed by the Big 10, Big East and Southeastern Conference (SEC) with four apiece. Connecticut, Ohio State, Stanford and Xavier each were represented by two players.
The list was voted on by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors, comprised of leading basketball journalists from around the country. The board based its criteria on player performances this season.
The Naismith Trophy presented by AT&T is the most prestigious national basketball award and is given annually to the women’s college basketball player of the year. This year, the award will be presented at the NCAA Women’s Final Four in San Antonio, Texas.
“The consistent theme among these candidates is that they display hard work, dedication and passion for basketball both on and off the court said Gary Stokan, Atlanta Tipoff Club president. “They all exhibit the outstanding traits that make them worthy for consideration of the prestigious Naismith Trophy.”
As a presenting sponsor since 2005, AT&T has set the standard in fan participation in determining this year’s winner. Through the power and ease of text messaging, fan voting will account for an unprecedented 25 percent of the final results – more than any other national college basketball award.
Beginning March 22, AT&T wireless customers – and sports fans on other wireless networks – will be able to text their votes for the player of their choice. Fans will be eligible to cast their vote for the winner until 11:59 p.m. EDT on Saturday, April 3, 2010. AT&T is making the voting open to other wireless carriers, allowing even more fans to participate. Other wireless carriers must opt-in for their subscribers to participate. Standard messaging rates apply.
“AT&T applauds these student-athletes’ for their performances this season,” said Jamie Kerr, senior manager, AT&T National Sponsorships. “Through our text message voting program, we’re giving college basketball fans – arguably the most enthusiastic sports fans – the opportunity once again to help determine this year’s award recipient.”
