Walker on Lisa Leslie Award Watch List

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina women’s basketball senior Sakima Walker is part of the 20-player preseason watch list for the Lisa Leslie Award, which recognizes the top center in Division I women’s basketball.

Walker joined the Gamecocks last season after leading Northwest Florida State to the 2023 NJCAA National Championship. The 2023 NJCAA D1 Player of the Year averaged 16.7 points and 8.2 rebounds with 13 double-doubles in her 32 games. Last season for the Gamecocks, Walker honed her craft behind WNBA No. 3 draft pick Kamilla Cardoso, playing in 31 games in South Carolina’s undefeated run to the 2024 NCAA National Championship.

Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting in each of the three rounds starting on Fri., Nov. 1. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the Leslie Award will be narrowed to 10, and then in late February, to just 5. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Leslie and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee, where winners will be selected. The Selection Committee for the Lisa Leslie Award is composed of top women’s college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.

The winner of the 2025 Leslie Award will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the four other 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 the Katrina McClain Award (Power Forward).

South Carolina officially opens the 2024-25 season on Mon., Nov. 4, in the Hall of Fame Series in Las Vegas against Michigan.

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.

Lisa Leslie Award Preseason Watch List
Raegan Beers, Oklahoma
Lauren Betts, UCLA
Anastasiia Boldyreva, Middle Tennessee
Audi Crooks, Iowa State
Allyson Fertig, Wyoming
Maria Gakdeng, North Carolina
Nyla Harris, Louisville
Kennedi Jackson, Boston College
Taylor Jones, Texas
Tommisha Lampkin, North Texas
Ayoka Lee, Kansas State
Alexis Markowski, Nebraska
Rayah Marshall, Southern Cal
Brooklyn Meyer, South Dakota State
Sedona Prince, TCU
Liz Scott, Oklahoma
Aaronette Vonleh, Baylor
Sakima Walker, South Carolina
Lauren Ware, Texas A&M
Katelyn Young, Murray State