Baylor WBB’s Richards Named as a Naismith National DPOY Semifinalist

[Robarts, Kyle]

BAYLOR ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS – February 23, 2021

Baylor WBB’s Richards Named as a Naismith National DPOY Semifinalist
Reigning Defensive Player of the Year on 10-player list
For more information contact: Kyle Robarts, 254-405-9492, Kyle_Robarts at baylor.edu<mailto:Kyle_Robarts at baylor.edu>

Richards head shot: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ve65a3ms8np3r4e/BU_WBB_Richards_DiDI_20-21.JPG?dl=0

WACO, Texas – Baylor’s DIDi Richards was among 10 student-athletes put on the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Semifinalist List by the Atlanta Tipoff Club on Tuesday.

Richards, who swept both the Naismith and WBCA National Defensive Player of the Year Awards a season ago, is having another solid season. She is averaging 1.6 steals per contest and holding her defensive assignment to 29.5 percent shooting, according to Synergy.

A senior from Cypress, Texas, Richards won the awards last season despite not having astronomical steal or blocks numbers. Her reputation as an elite on-ball defender on the perimeter and keeping her opponent to a 26.2 shooting percentage earned her the honor.

This season, Richards is still putting up elite numbers despite not playing at 100 percent. She had a collision with teammate Moon Ursin in the preseason and suffered a Spinal Cord Injury Without Radiographic Abnormality (SCIOWRA). She went from temporary paralysis to back on the court in 38 days.

2021 Naismith Women’s College Defensive Player of the Year Semifinalist List
Boston
Aliyah
Aliyah Boston
So.
F
South Carolina
SEC
Burton
Veronica
Veronica Burton
Jr.
G
Northwestern
Big Ten
Collier
Charli
Charli Collier
Jr.
F/C
Texas
Big 12
Cunane
Elissa
Elissa Cunane
Jr.
C
NC State
ACC
Mack
Natasha
Natasha Mack
Sr.
F
Oklahoma State
Big 12
McDonald
Aari
Aari McDonald
Sr.
G
Arizona
Pac-12
Mulkey
Nancy
Nancy Mulkey
Sr.
C
Rice
C-USA
Nelson-Ododa
Olivia
Olivia Nelson-Ododa
Jr.
F
UConn
BIG EAST
Patterson
Chasity
Chasity Patterson
Sr.
G
Kentucky
SEC
Richards
DiDi
DiDi Richards
Sr.
G
Baylor
Big 12

www.BaylorBears.com


___________________________________
Kyle Robarts | Associate Director, Athletics Communications (WBB, WTEN)
Department of Athletics | Baylor University
O: 254-710-3042 | C: 254-405-9492

[cid:image001.png at 01D709D3.4F697620]<http://baylorbears.com/>
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