Jespersen Recognized on Katrina McClain Award Watch List
TAMPA, NOV. 9, 2017 – University of South Florida senior,
Maria Jespersen, continues to make waves as she was named to the Katrina McClain Award watch list Thursday. Jespersen was classified as a power forward and was one of 20 to make the list.
The Katrina McClain Award is named after the two-time All-American and 1987 National Player of the Year. The annual award in its inaugural year recognizes the top power forwards in women's NCAA Division I college basketball.
"Katrina McClain was the ultimate power forward, bringing extraordinary effort and a double-double nearly every time she set foot on the court," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. "From the University of Georgia to Team USA, Katrina made her mark on the game through heart and determination. The power forwards on this watch list display many of the characteristics that made Katrina such an outstanding player."
Jespersen (Arhus, Denmark) was the Bulls' best rebounder her junior year with 297 rebounds. The American Athletic Conference Most Improved Player of the Year upped her total from 153 rebounds to 297 in one year. Jespersen jumped from 5.9 points per game to a team second-best 14.7 points per game. Jespersen was an all-conference first team honoree last season.
The winner of the 2018 Katrina McClain Power Forward Award will be announced during ESPN2's telecast of the national semifinal games in the 2018 NCAA Women's Final Four in Columbus, Ohio on Friday, March 30. Additional awards being presented include the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard Award, the Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard Award, the Cheryl Miller Small Forward Award, and the Lisa Leslie Center Award, as well as the Wade Trophy, the sport's oldest and most prestigious national player of the year award.
For more information on the 2018 Katrina McClain Award, visit
http://www.hoophallawards.com.
USF opens its season Friday, Nov. 10 at the USF Sun Dome Arena. The Bulls host LSU at 5:30 p.m.
2018 Katrina McClain Award Candidates
| Lauren Cox |
Baylor |
| Kristine Anigwe |
California |
| Camille Zimmerman |
Columbia |
| Napheesa Collier |
Connecticut |
| Leaonna Odom |
Duke |
| Haley Lorenzen |
Florida |
| G'mrice Davis |
Fordham |
| Caliya Robinson |
Georgia |
| Ashunae Durant |
Hofstra |
| Megan Gustafson |
Iowa |
| Myisha Hines-Allen |
Lousiville |
| Erykah Davenport |
Miami |
| Alex Johnson |
Middle Tennessee |
| Jordan Frericks |
Missouri |
| Ruthy Hebard |
Oregon |
| Michelle Nwokedi |
Penn |
| Bella Alarie |
Princeton |
| Mael Gilles |
Rutgers |
| Maria Jespersen |
South Florida |
| Jatarie White |
Texas |
*Players can play their way onto and off of the list at any point in the 2017-18 season*
Season tickets are available for purchase, along with three- and five-game flex plans. Reserve your seats at USFBullsTix.com or by calling 1-800-Go-Bulls.
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USF notched its fifth consecutive 20-win season. The Bulls tallied its 20th win in their 24th contest of the season which tied the fastest any program has reached 20 wins. This is the eighth 20-win season in program history and head coach Jose Fernandez has been at the helm for all eight 20-win seasons. The 2014-15 team reached 20 wins in 24 games, and still currently holds the best record for most wins in a season (27).
USF has made 13 postseason tournament appearances and had five NCAA Tournament berths in Head Coach Jose Fernandez's 17 seasons. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Fernandez has guided USF to eight 20-win seasons, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2009 WNIT championship and won more than 300 games.
– #GoBulls –
