ATLANTA (March 11, 2016) – The Wade Trophy Committee has named 30 student-athletes to the 2015-16 “Wade Watch” list, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced today.
Now in its 39th year, The Wade Trophy is named in honor of the late, legendary Delta State University coach, Lily Margaret Wade. During her six seasons as head coach, Wade won three consecutive national championships with the Lady Statesmen and recorded a career record of 157-23.
Regarded as “The Heisman of Women’s Basketball,” The Wade Trophy is presented annually to the WBCA NCAA Division I Player of the Year. The 30-member list is made up of top NCAA Division I student-athletes who best embody the spirit of Lily Margaret Wade according to the following criteria: game and season statistics, leadership, character, effect on their team and overall playing ability.
Here is the list of candidates for the 2016 Wade Trophy in alphabetical order:
| Player | Institution | Position | Year |
| Jillian Alleyne | University of Oregon | Forward | Senior |
| Ameryst Alston | Ohio State University | Guard | Senior |
| Rachel Banham | University of Minnesota | Guard | RS Senior |
| Imani Boyette | University of Texas | Center | Senior |
| Adut Bulgak | Florida State University | Center | Senior |
| Jordin Canada | UCLA | Guard | Sophomore |
| Alaina Coates | University of South Carolina | Center | Junior |
| Nia Coffey | Northwestern University | Forward | Junior |
| Nina Davis | Baylor University | Forward | Junior |
| Diamond DeShields | University of Tennessee | Guard | RS Sophomore |
| Makayla Epps | University of Kentucky | Guard | Junior |
| Moriah Jefferson | University of Connecticut | Guard | Senior |
| Niya Johnson | Baylor University | Guard | Senior |
| Brionna Jones | University of Maryland | Center | Junior |
| Jonquel Jones | George Washington University | Forward | Senior |
| Brittney Martin | Oklahoma State University | Guard | Senior |
| Kelsey Mitchell | Ohio State University | Guard | Sophomore |
| Tiffany Mitchell | University of South Carolina | Guard | Senior |
| Adrienne Motley | University of Miami | Guard | Junior |
| Kelsey Plum | University of Washington | Guard | Junior |
| Aerial Powers | Michigan State University | Forward | Junior |
| Azurà Stevens | Duke University | Forward | Sophomore |
| Breanna Stewart | University of Connecticut | Forward | Senior |
| Morgan Tuck | University of Connecticut | Forward | Senior |
| Brianna Turner | University of Notre Dame | Forward | Sophomore |
| Victoria Vivians | Mississippi State University | Guard | Sophomore |
| Courtney Walker | Texas A&M University | Guard | Senior |
| Shatori Walker-Kimbrough | University of Maryland | Guard | Junior |
| Courtney Williams | University of South Florida | Guard | Senior |
| A’ja Wilson | University of South Carolina | Forward | Sophomore |
The WBCA will officially announce The Wade Trophy winner during the WBCA National Convention, held in conjunction with the NCAA® Women’s Final Four® in Indianapolis.
The WBCA purchased sole ownership and all rights to The Wade Trophy from the Society of Health and Physical Educators, doing business as SHAPE America, in January 2016. The two organizations had partnered to present the prestigious award since 2000. The WBCA NCAA Division I Coaches’ All-America Selection Committee determines the recipient.
Junior forward Nina Davis, a 2015 Wade Trophy finalist, continues to show her prowess on the court. For the third straight season she leads Baylor in scoring and rebounding and is among the Big 12 leaders in both categories. A three-time All-Big 12 first-team selection, two-time Big 12 Player of the Year and consensus 2015 All-American, Davis’ leadership, both on and off the court, has allowed the Lady Bears to remain as one of the nation’s top teams. Davis, throughout her three-year career, has scored over 1,850 points and hauled down over 850 rebounds both of which rank among Baylor’s career leaders. This season Davis is averaging a team-leading 15.6 points per game and pulls down 6.1 rebounds a contest and was named to the All-Big 12 first-team and to the Big 12 Championship all-tournament team.
Senior point guard Niya Johnson has proven herself to be the consummate point guard throughout her four years. She has led the nation in assists per game for two seasons and with over 950 career assists, ranks high on the NCAA career assist chart. She is one of only five players to ever dish out over 900 assists and haul down more than 500 rebounds. Johnson is a two-time All-Big 12 first-team selection and has been named to the Big 12 Championship all-tournament team twice. Johnson is averaging a nation leading 8.6 assists per game while scoring 7.1 points and hauling down 5.3 rebounds a contest.
Baylor has had two Wade Trophy winners, Brittney Griner was a two-time recipient (2012 & 2013) and Odyssey Sims claimed the Wade Trophy in 2014.
