Naismith Trophy Women's 50 Watch List
ATLANTA – Albany junior forward Shereesha Richards has been selected to the Naismith Trophy Women’s 50 Watch List, placing her among some of the top players in collegiate women’s basketball.
Richards is the first-ever UAlbany women’s basketball player to be placed on the 50 Watch List and is one of only three players not from a Power 5 conference, the Atlantic 10, the BIG EAST or the American.
“It is a great honor to be among some of the best of the sport,” said Richards. “I feel great to be on the same level as those on the top 50.”
On its mission statement, the Naismith Trophy, named for Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, is awarded to the top men’s and women’s college basketball players of the year. The women’s trophy has been given since 1983.
The reigning America East Player of the Year, member of the 1,000-point club and holder of numerous UAlbany single season records, Richards is averaging 18.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.5 steals a contest in her first six games, including earning a double-double in the victory over Penn State with 27 points and 14 rebounds.
To date in her career, Richards has averaged 15.5 points a game in her 70-game career, shooting 62.2% from the field to total 1,085 points and 531 rebounds.
The list will be shortened to the Midseason 30 on Wednesday, February 11th on www.naismithtrophy.com.