Middle Tennessee State University Athletics

Hayes named USBWA National Freshman of the Week
11/26/2019 11:21:00 AM | Women's Basketball, BRAA
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Lady Raider Aislynn Hayes has been named the United States Basketball Writers (USBWA) National Tamika Catchings Freshman of the Week as announced by the association Tuesday.
Hayes, who was named Conference USA Freshman of the Week Monday, averaged 18.5 points and four rebounds in two Lady Raider wins last week. She was selected from a list of Division I conference freshmen player of the week recipients.
Hayes, the daughter of Arnett and Sherry Hayes, earned her first career start against Tennessee Tech and responded with career highs for points (22), field goals (6), 3-point field goals (4), free throws (6) rebounds (6), steals (4) and minutes (35).
The talented guard followed that performance with another strong outing against Furman. She registered her third straight game in double figures with 15 points and tied her career highs for steals (4) and assists (4).
"I want to thank the USBWA for this recognition," Hayes said. "It is a quite an honor to be recognized among the outstanding freshman basketball players across the country. My teammates and coaches have believed in me and help put me in position to help the team. I'm just glad to be contributing."
Hayes has made an instant impact at the outset of the season, ranking seventh in C-USA and 65th nationally for 3-point field goal percentage (.478). Hayes is also among C-USA leaders for assist-turnover ratio (1.4, 7th), steals (2.4, 9th), 3-point field goals per game (2.2, 10th) and minutes (32.0, 10th).
For the 2012-13 season, the national and weekly player award became named for Hall of Famer and former UCLA All-American Ann Meyers Drysdale while this is the first season the national and weekly freshman award is being given in the name of former Tennessee All-American Tamika Catchings.
At the conclusion of the regular season, the USBWA will name finalists for both awards, which is voted on by the entire membership of the USBWA.
The winners of the 2020 Ann Meyers Drysdale National Player of the Year and Tamika Catchings National Freshman of the Year will be announced and presented at the USBWA's annual awards event in New Orleans, site of the 2020 NCAA Women's Final Four.
Hayes, who was named Conference USA Freshman of the Week Monday, averaged 18.5 points and four rebounds in two Lady Raider wins last week. She was selected from a list of Division I conference freshmen player of the week recipients.
Hayes, the daughter of Arnett and Sherry Hayes, earned her first career start against Tennessee Tech and responded with career highs for points (22), field goals (6), 3-point field goals (4), free throws (6) rebounds (6), steals (4) and minutes (35).
The talented guard followed that performance with another strong outing against Furman. She registered her third straight game in double figures with 15 points and tied her career highs for steals (4) and assists (4).
"I want to thank the USBWA for this recognition," Hayes said. "It is a quite an honor to be recognized among the outstanding freshman basketball players across the country. My teammates and coaches have believed in me and help put me in position to help the team. I'm just glad to be contributing."
Hayes has made an instant impact at the outset of the season, ranking seventh in C-USA and 65th nationally for 3-point field goal percentage (.478). Hayes is also among C-USA leaders for assist-turnover ratio (1.4, 7th), steals (2.4, 9th), 3-point field goals per game (2.2, 10th) and minutes (32.0, 10th).
For the 2012-13 season, the national and weekly player award became named for Hall of Famer and former UCLA All-American Ann Meyers Drysdale while this is the first season the national and weekly freshman award is being given in the name of former Tennessee All-American Tamika Catchings.
At the conclusion of the regular season, the USBWA will name finalists for both awards, which is voted on by the entire membership of the USBWA.
The winners of the 2020 Ann Meyers Drysdale National Player of the Year and Tamika Catchings National Freshman of the Year will be announced and presented at the USBWA's annual awards event in New Orleans, site of the 2020 NCAA Women's Final Four.
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