Wilson Named to Naismith and Wade Watch Lists
Nov. 29, 2017
COLUMBIA, S.C. ââ’¬” South Carolina senior A’ja Wilson earned spots on the Citizen Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List and the Wade Watch List, those organizations announced today. A finalist for both awards last season, Wilson is now on the watch lists of all three national player of the year awards as well as the List Leslie Award, given to the top center in the nation.
A three-time All-American and two-time SEC Player of the Year, Wilson’s best career numbers have come early in her senior season. At 23.9 points per game, she ranks fifth in the country in scoring and is nearly as dominant defensively as she ranks fourth in the country with 3.7 blocked shots per game. Adding in her 11.7 rebounds per game, which rank her 13th in the country, she is the only player to rank among the top 15 in all three categories. In fact, she is one of just two players to be among the nation’s top 50 in all three stats.
With six double-doubles in seven games this season, Wilson leads the SEC and ranked third in the nation. Her 36 career double-doubles are the most among active SEC players this season and stand sixth in Gamecock history. She has turned in three 30-point games this season already, including two against nationally ranked opponents. Wilson is shooting 55.4 percent from the field while also handing out 2.4 assists per game.
The Citizen Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List includes 50 players from around the country, including nine from the SEC, and the Atlanta Tipoff Club will narrow that field to a Midseason 30 list to be release on Feb. 12.
The Wade Watch list of candidates for The Wade Trophy is comprised of 25 players selected by the WBCA NCAA Division I Coaches’ All-America Selection Committee. The committee will review the list in January to determine if additional player will be added based on their play during the first half of the 2017-18 season.
No. 5/6 South Carolina is back in action Thursday night against Western Carolina. Tipoff at Colonial Life Arena is set for 7 p.m. The Gamecocks also host a top-15 battle on Sunday, taking on No. 15/16 Duke at noon.
