Baylor WBB’s Littlepage-Buggs Dubbed a Finalist for Katrina McClain Power Forward of the Year

[Pirtle, Colin]

BAYLOR ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS – March 6, 2025

Baylor WBB’s Littlepage-Buggs Dubbed a Finalist for Katrina McClain Power Forward of the Year
Littlepage-Buggs in top 5 for Naismith Starting Five Award
For more information contact: Colin Pirtle; 940-564-0351, colin_pirtle1 at baylor.edu<mailto:colin_pirtle1 at baylor.edu>


SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Baylor women’s basketball junior Darianna Littlepage-Buggs has been announced as one of five finalists for the 2025 Katrina McClain Power Forward of the Year Award, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced Thursday.



As the lone player in the Big 12 to average a double-double, Littlepage-Buggs leads the league in rebounds per game with 10.5 and was named an All-Big 12 First Team member on Tuesday for her efforts in the regular season.



Littlepage-Buggs contributed 14.3 points per game in 26 regular-season games with 11 double-doubles. The Oklahoma City, Okla., native posted 18 games with double-digit points, 17 with double-digit rebounds, and put together a 20-point, 20-rebound game against UNLV, the first for a Bear since 2022. This season, Littlepage-Buggs was named Big 12 Player of the Week once, scored her 1,000th career point at Houston in February and is one of two players across Power Four conferences with eligibility remaining to average a double-double.



Joining Littlepage-Buggs on the list are Makayla Timpson (Florida State), Yvonne Ejim (Gonzaga), Aneesah Morrow (LSU) and Kiki Iriafen (USC).



The candidate list, which started as 20 in the preseason, is now secure with the five finalists. The winner of the Katrina McClain Award will be selected by top women’s college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers, and will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the other four members of the Men’s and Women’s Starting Five.



Additional awards being presented include the Bob Cousy and Nancy Lieberman Awards (Point Guard), Jerry West and Ann Meyers Drysdale Awards (Shooting Guard), Julius Erving and Cheryl Miller Awards (Small Forward), Karl Malone Award (men’s Power Forward) and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Lisa Leslie Awards (Center).



Fan voting for the Katrina McClain Award begins on Friday at hoophallawards.com. The winner of the fan vote will receive one automatic committee vote during the selection process.



NaLyssa Smith, one of the newest members of the Dallas Wings, was Baylor’s previous Katrina McClain Award winner in both the 2021 and 2022 seasons and is just one of two players to ever repeat as the top power forward.



Baylor women's basketball is presented by Central National Bank, a family-owned, independent bank headquartered in Waco, Texas, that provides uniquely personal service while simultaneously embracing the latest developments in banking technology.



To stay up to date, follow the team on its official Facebook, X and Instagram accounts: @BaylorWBB.



- BaylorBears.com -

_________________________________________
Colin Pirtle | Associate Director of Athletics Communications (WBB, WTEN)
Department of Athletics | Baylor University
C: 940-564-0351

[signature_2230589939]<http://baylorbears.com/>

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