A'ja Wilson is a finalist for the Lisa Leslie Award

Friday, Mar. 2, 2018

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina senior standout A’ja Wilson has been named a finalist for the 2018 Lisa Leslie Award, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced Friday. Wilson is one of five candidate for the accolade that recognizes the top center in women’s NCAA Division I college basketball.

The five finalists will be presented to Ms. Leslie and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee later in March. The winner will be determined by a combination of fan votes and input from the Basketball Hall of Fame’s selection committee. Fans are encouraged to visit HoophallAwards.com to cast their votes between March 2-23.

This year’s recipient of the award will be revealed during ESPN2’s telecast of the national semifinal games at the 2018 NCAA Women’s Final Four in Columbus, Ohio, on Fri., March 30. The award will be then be presented to the student-athlete on Sat., March 31, at a new awards reception presented by the Basketball Hall of Fame and the WBCA. The reception will take place at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

Wilson has elevated her game this season, averaging career highs in points (22.9) and rebounds (12.0) per contest. Her SEC-leading 3.3 blocks per contest rank fifth in NCAA Division I, and she has boasted double-digit scoring outings in 25 of her 26 games this season. The Hopkins, S.C., native, one of two Gamecocks to total 2,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds, is the only player in conference history to be named the SEC Player of the Year three times.