Seniors Griner and Delle Donne Highlight 2012‐2013 Naismith Women’s Early Season Watch List

Baylor senior aims to become sixth woman to earn back‐to‐back Naismith Trophies

ATLANTA (Nov. 15, 2012) – Baylor senior Brittney Griner and Delaware senior Elena Delle Donne highlight the 2012‐2013 Naismith women’s early season watch list, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced today. Griner looks to build on the Lady Bears 2012 National Championship season and join only five other players to win back‐to‐ back Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year presented by AT&T honors since the award was first presented in 1983. Delle Donne, the nation’s leading scorer in 2012 is also a former Naismith Trophy winner, having claimed the Naismith High School Girl’s Player of the Year award in 2008.

The 50 player watch list was compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors, which based its criteria on player performances from the previous year and expectations for the 2012‐2013 college basketball season. The Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year presented by AT&T will be awarded on April 8, 2013, in New Orleans, La.

Other notable players on this year’s watch list include Notre Dame senior Skylar Diggins, who led the Fighting Irish to consecutive NCAA National Title Game appearances in 2011 and 2012 and Stanford junior Chiney Ogwumike, who led the Cardinals to three consecutive NCAA Final Four appearances. Diggins and Ogwumike are also former Naismith High School Girl’s Player of the Year award winners.

“With so much returning talent this year, anticipation and excitement for women’s college basketball season among fans, players and coaches is extremely high,” said Eric Oberman, executive director of the Atlanta Tipoff Club. “We look forward to watching these student‐athletes compete and prove to the nation that they deserve to be recognized as the best women’s college basketball player in 2013.”

“AT&T is honored to continue its support of this ongoing tradition and this class of emerging talent,” said Jamie Kerr, Director, AT&T Corporate Sponsorships. “These promising student‐athletes will make for a competitive race and contribute to another exciting season of women’s college basketball.”

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 vote to narrow the list to the four finalists.

Notable Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year winners include Chamique Holdsclaw, Lisa Leslie, Rebecca Lobo, and Tina Charles. The Naismith women’s Trophy is the most prestigious national award presented annually to the women’s college basketball player of the year. For more information, visit www.naismithawards.com. ‐more‐ Women’s Early Season Watch List/Page 2

2012‐13 Naismith Trophy Early Season Watch List: LAST FIRST CLASS POSITION SCHOOL Armstrong Anne Marie Senior G/F Georgia Bentley Alex Senior G Penn State Bone Kelsey Junior C Texas A&M Butler Heather Junior G University of Tennessee‐Martin Clarendon Layshia Senior G California Davis Carolyn Senior F Kansas Delle Donne Elena Senior F Delaware Diggins Skylar Senior G Notre Dame Dolson Stefanie Junior C Connecticut Ellenberg Aaryn Junior G Oklahoma Evans Shante Senior F Hofstra Faris Kelly Senior G Connecticut Foggie Christina Junior G Vanderbilt Fussell Chassidy Junior G Texas George Jennifer Senior F Florida Goodrich Angel Senior G Kansas Gray Chelsea Junior G Duke Griner Brittney Senior C Baylor Hand Whitney Senior G Oklahoma Hartley Bria Junior G Connecticut Hawkins Tianna Senior F Maryland Hill Tayler Senior G Ohio State Hooper Jordan Junior F Nebraska Howard Natasha Junior F Florida State Jones Kortni Senior G Middle Tennessee State Lucas Maggie Junior G Penn State Luper Kevi Senior G Oral Roberts Marshall Ty Junior G Georgia Tech Martin Anna Senior G DePaul Mathies A'dia Senior G Kentucky McBride Kayla Junior G Notre Dame McKenith Nadirah Senior G St. John's Mincy Lauren Junior G Maryland Moore Lindsey Senior G Nebraska Mosqueda‐Lewis Kaleena Sophomore F Connecticut Ogwumike Chiney Junior F Stanford Oliver Monique Senior F/C Rutgers Poppens Chelsea Senior F Iowa State Rasheed Niveen Senior F Princeton Reid Monique Senior F Louisville Rodgers Sugar Senior G Georgetown Rowe Ebony Junior F Middle Tennessee State Schimmel Shoni Junior G Louisville Shafir Naama Senior G Toledo Sims Odyssey Junior G Baylor Smith Shenneika Senior G St. John's Stewart Breanna Freshman F Connecticut Thomas Alyssa Junior F Maryland Walker Markel Senior G/F UCLA Williams Elizabeth Sophomore C Duke

ABOUT THE ATLANTA TIPOFF CLUB The Atlanta Tipoff Club, an Atlanta Sports Council property, 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, founded during the 1956‐57 season, has presented the Naismith Trophy every year since UCLA’s Lew Alcindor first won the award in 1969. Old Dominion’s Anne Donovan won the inaugural Women’s Naismith Trophy in 1983.

The Naismith Award has become the most prestigious award in all of college basketball, recognizing the Men’s and Women’s College Basketball Player of the Year, Men’s and Women’s College Basketball Coach of the Year, as well as awards for outstanding achievement in high school basketball, officiating, and contribution to the game.

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Contact: Nick Schubert MSL Atlanta for the Atlanta Tipoff Club (937) 369‐9275 [email protected]