Baylor WBB’s Smith Named to McClain Award Final Five

[Pirtle, Krista]

BAYLOR ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS – March 10, 2022

Baylor WBB’s Smith Named to McClain Award Final Five
Reigning McClain Award winner in contention to repeat
For more information contact: Krista Pirtle, 254-447-8610, Krista_Pirtle at baylor.edu<mailto:Krista_Pirtle at baylor.edu>


WACO, Texas – Baylor senior forward NaLyssa Smith earned a spot on the Naismith/WBCA Katrina McClain Award ‘Final Five’ list. The McClain Award, in its fifth year, recognizes the top power forward in women’s NCAA Division I college basketball.



Smith is currently eighth nationally in both points per game (22.3) and rebounds per game (11.7). She ranks fifth in the country with 21 double-doubles. That mark stands as fifth all-time in Big 12 history and second all-time in program history.



This week alone, the Converse, Texas, native received her fourth Big 12 Player of the Week honor of the season after averaging 31.5 points and 16 rebounds in Baylor’s wins over No. 8 Iowa State and Texas Tech. She was also the unanimous Big 12 Player of the Year in addition to being a unanimous pick for the All-Big 12 First Team. Smith was also named to the All-Big 12 Defensive Team.



Smith has already been named a first-team All-American by Sports Illustrated and The Athletic earlier in the week as well, in addition to being named a semifinalist for the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Women’s Player of the Year.



A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 student-athletes in November, which was narrowed to 10 candidates in February and now just five finalists. This month, the finalists will be presented to Ms. McClain and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The winner of the 2022 Katrina McClain Power Forward of the Year Award will be determined by a combination of fan votes and input from the Basketball Hall of Fame’s selection committee. Naismith Starting Five Fan Voting presented by Dell Technologies will go live on Friday, March 11 on hoophallawards.com.



The winner of the 2022 Katrina McClain Award will be presented on a to be determined date, along with the other four members of the Women’s Starting Five.



For the latest news on the Baylor women’s basketball team all season long, follow its official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BaylorWBB.



Katrina McClain Award Final Five

NaLyssa Smith, Baylor

Cameron Brink, Stanford

Angel Reese, Maryland

Naz Hillmon, Michigan

Aneesah Morrow, DePaul



www.BaylorBears.com




Krista Pirtle | Associate Director of Athletics Communications
Department of Athletics | Baylor University
C: 254-447-8610

[signature_1415018582]<http://www.baylorbears.com/>

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