Cardoso Named to Lisa Leslie Award Top 10
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina senior Kamilla Cardoso earned a spot on the 2024 Lisa Leslie Award Top 10, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced today. In its seventh season, this award recognizes the top center in women’s NCAA Div. I college basketball and has been won by a Gamecock five times.
Part of every National Player of the Year watch list, Cardoso impacts the game on both sides of the ball, ranking among the nation’s top 20 in double-doubles (16th, 10), rebounds per game (19th, 10.6), field goal percentage (16th, .600) and blocks per game (8th, 2.8). She is the Gamecocks’ top scorer and rebounder on the season (13.2 ppg) with her rebounding numbers rising in SEC action to 11.5 per game. This season’s field goal percentage is the highest of her career, and according to Her Hoop Stats, she is fourth in the nation in defensive win shares at 1.4 and second in player defensive rating (64.3).
Fans can support their favorite players in the remaining rounds by participating in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, starting Fri., Jan. 26, on HoopHallAwards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process. In March, five finalists will be presented to Lieberman and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee, which is comprised of top women’s college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers.
The 2024 Lisa Leslie Award winner will be presented on a to be determined date, along with the other four members of the Women’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Nancy Lieberman Award (Point Guard), Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (Shooting Guard), Cheryl Miller Award (Small Forward) and Katrina McClain Award (Power Forward), in addition to the Men’s Starting Five.
South Carolina is back in action on Sun., Jan. 28, hosting Vanderbilt in a sold out game at Colonial Life Arena. Tipoff on SEC Network is set for 3 p.m. with doors opening at 1:30 p.m. Fans are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation to the University’s CommUnity Shop, which is an on-campus resource that provides free food, toiletries, school supplies and professional clothing to USC students, faculty and staff to help meet basic needs.
Continue to check GamecocksOnline.com and the team’s social media accounts (@GamecockWBB) for the most up-to-date information on South Carolina women’s basketball.
2024 Lisa Leslie Center of the Year Award Top 10
Raegan Beers, Oregon State
Lauren Betts, UCLA
Cameron Brink, Stanford
Kamilla Cardoso, South Carolina
Mackenzie Holmes, Indiana
Taylor Jones, Texas
Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech
Ayoka Lee, Kansas State
