Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Anastasia Hayes named to Naismith Trophy Watch List
2/9/2021 11:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball, BRAA
Junior guard Top 15 nationally in eight categories
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Anastasia Hayes, the nation's leading scorer in Division I women's basketball, has been named to the 2021 Jersey Mike's Naismith Women's Trophy Midseason Watch List, the Atlanta Tipoff Club has announced.
Hayes is one of 30 players named to the midseason watch list and ranks in the Top 15 of eight NCAA Division I categories. She leads Conference USA in scoring, assists and steals.
"It is a tremendous honor to be named to the Naismith Trophy Midseason Watch List," Middle Tennessee Head Coach Rick Insell said. "Anastasia is deserving of inclusion on this list amongst the nation's best players. She is ultra-talented and impacts the game in so many ways. She is having an outstanding season for the Lady Raiders and we are pleased she is getting the recognition she deserves."
Hayes has also one of 16 players who have been named to the Dawn Staley Late Season Watch List and she is one of 15 on the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Midseason Watch List.
The junior guard leads the nation in scoring with 28.2 points per game and has scored 20-plus in all 17 games this season and 21 straight dating back to last season – the longest such active streak in Division I women's basketball. Hayes also leads the nation in total points, field goals made, and free throw attempts, is second for free throws made, 10th for steals and 13th for assists.
"I am humbled by this recognition and to be mentioned with some of the best players in women's college basketball," Hayes said. "Our team is doing well and playing hard to reach our goal of a championship season. I think a big thing for all of us is how last season ended abruptly. It showed us how quickly something we enjoy so much can be taken from us. We aren't taking anything for granted."
The 10 national semifinalists will be announced March 4, followed by the four finalists March 16. The 2021 Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy will be awarded during the Final Four at the Naismith Awards Brunch on April 4.
Naismith Women's Trophy Midseason Watch List
Ailyah Boston, South Carolina
Paige Bueckers, UConn
Caitlin Clark, Iowa
Charli Collier, Texas
Zia Cooke, South Carolina
Elissa Cunane, NC State
Rennia Davis, Tennessee
Chelsea Dungee, Arkansas
Dana Evans, Louisville
Kysre Gondrezick, West Virginia
Arella Guirantes, Rutgers
Anastasia Hayes, Middle Tennessee
Naz Hillmon, Michigan
Rhyne Howard, Kentucky
Rickea Jackson, Mississippi State
Ashley Joens, Iowa State
Haley Jones, Stanford
N'dea Jones, Texas A&M
Dorka Juhasz, Ohio State
Natasha Mack, Oklahoma State
Aari McDonald, Arizona
Olivia Nelson-Ododa, UConn
Michaela Onyenwere, UCLA
Charisma Osborne, UCLA
Ashley Owusu, Maryland
Lindsey Pulliam, Northwestern
NaLyssa Smith, Baylor
Jasmine Walker, Alabama
Kiana Williams, Stanford
Christyn Williams, UConn
Hayes is one of 30 players named to the midseason watch list and ranks in the Top 15 of eight NCAA Division I categories. She leads Conference USA in scoring, assists and steals.
"It is a tremendous honor to be named to the Naismith Trophy Midseason Watch List," Middle Tennessee Head Coach Rick Insell said. "Anastasia is deserving of inclusion on this list amongst the nation's best players. She is ultra-talented and impacts the game in so many ways. She is having an outstanding season for the Lady Raiders and we are pleased she is getting the recognition she deserves."
Hayes has also one of 16 players who have been named to the Dawn Staley Late Season Watch List and she is one of 15 on the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Midseason Watch List.
The junior guard leads the nation in scoring with 28.2 points per game and has scored 20-plus in all 17 games this season and 21 straight dating back to last season – the longest such active streak in Division I women's basketball. Hayes also leads the nation in total points, field goals made, and free throw attempts, is second for free throws made, 10th for steals and 13th for assists.
"I am humbled by this recognition and to be mentioned with some of the best players in women's college basketball," Hayes said. "Our team is doing well and playing hard to reach our goal of a championship season. I think a big thing for all of us is how last season ended abruptly. It showed us how quickly something we enjoy so much can be taken from us. We aren't taking anything for granted."
The 10 national semifinalists will be announced March 4, followed by the four finalists March 16. The 2021 Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy will be awarded during the Final Four at the Naismith Awards Brunch on April 4.
Naismith Women's Trophy Midseason Watch List
Ailyah Boston, South Carolina
Paige Bueckers, UConn
Caitlin Clark, Iowa
Charli Collier, Texas
Zia Cooke, South Carolina
Elissa Cunane, NC State
Rennia Davis, Tennessee
Chelsea Dungee, Arkansas
Dana Evans, Louisville
Kysre Gondrezick, West Virginia
Arella Guirantes, Rutgers
Anastasia Hayes, Middle Tennessee
Naz Hillmon, Michigan
Rhyne Howard, Kentucky
Rickea Jackson, Mississippi State
Ashley Joens, Iowa State
Haley Jones, Stanford
N'dea Jones, Texas A&M
Dorka Juhasz, Ohio State
Natasha Mack, Oklahoma State
Aari McDonald, Arizona
Olivia Nelson-Ododa, UConn
Michaela Onyenwere, UCLA
Charisma Osborne, UCLA
Ashley Owusu, Maryland
Lindsey Pulliam, Northwestern
NaLyssa Smith, Baylor
Jasmine Walker, Alabama
Kiana Williams, Stanford
Christyn Williams, UConn
Players Mentioned
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