DePaul University Athletics
WBCA Honors Aneesah Morrow as National Freshman of the Year
3/29/2022 10:01:00 AM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Coaches Association tribute is her second National Freshman of the Year award
CHICAGO – For the second time this postseason, Aneesah Morrow is being recognized as the preeminent freshman in all of NCAA women's basketball.
On Tuesday, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) bestowed its prestigious NCAA Division I Freshman of the Year Award presented by adidas upon the Blue Demon All-American.
Morrow becomes the first DePaul basketball player of either gender to win multiple national freshman of the year honors. She was named The Athletic National Freshman of the Year earlier this month.
The only other Blue Demon to win National Freshman of the Year was former Whitney Young All-State forward Quentin Richardson who was honored in 1999 by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA).
Connecticut star Paige Bueckers and Iowa All-American Caitlin Clark were the WBCA's Co-National Freshman of the Year in 2021.
After not appearing on ESPN's list of 100 top girls basketball recruits last year, Morrow has made a quantum leap this year---already being voted onto four All-American teams. She is All-American Second Team with the Associated Press, USBWA, Sports Illustrated and The Athletic.
Earlier this season, ESPN was the first to proclaim her the No. 1 freshman in the land. That was well before she shattered the DePaul all-time record for rebounds in a season with 457. The previous mark was 397 by All-American Diana Vines in 1986-87.
Morrow has also set a new season record for rebounds per game with 13.8, eclipsing Vines' 13.7 in 1986-87.
The WBCA Freshman of the Year Award honors the best NCAA Division I women's basketball freshman or redshirt freshman. All conference freshman players of the year in NCAA Division I are considered for the award. If a conference does not select a freshman player of the year, the conference office can nominate one player to be considered.
"Energy, enthusiasm, effort and effectiveness — these are hallmark pillars that each coach hopes their first-year, student-athletes will contribute to the team," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "The WBCA and adidas recognize the important contribution of first-year student-athletes.
"I am pleased to present the WBCA NCAA Division I Freshman of the Year award to Aneesah Morrow. Aneesah most certainly contributed to DePaul's success, and we recognize and applaud her immediate impact this season."
Immediate impact is an apt description of Morrow's first foray into the elite level of DI basketball. The soft-spoken yet relentless rookie scored 31 points and grabbed nine rebounds during her NCAA debut against Texas Southern.
That's the most points scored in a rookie debut during Hall of Fame coach Doug Bruno's illustrious 36-year career.
It was the launching of an unparalleled freshman season that saw the former Simeon All-Stater lead the country in doubles and rebounding while consistently ranking among the top five in field goals and points.
The unanimous BIG EAST Freshman of the Year and All-BIG EAST First Team selection had a jaw-dropping stretch Jan. 21-26 when she finished with 33 points and 15 rebounds against Butler, 32 points and 15 boards against Xavier and 30 points and 14 rebounds against No. 10/9 Connecticut.
According to ESPN Stats and Information Research, that was the first time a NCAA women's basketball player had strung together three consecutive games of 30 points and 10 rebounds since current Washington Mystics star Alyssa Clark accomplished the feat for Middle Tennessee in 2010.
Morrow is a national finalist for two of the most prestigious awards in women's college basketball---the John Wooden Player of the Year and the Naismith Trophy Player of the Year. She is among the five finalists for the Katrina McClain Power Forward of the Year Award and was a top 10 finalist for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.
The 6-foot, 1-inch power forward broke 11 conference records including most rebounds in a game (27 at Seton Hall) and most rebounds in a season (BIG EAST games). Her 41 points at Creighton set a new freshman standard.
She made history as the first player ever to win five USBWA National Freshman of Week awards and the first to win 13 BIG EAST Freshman of the Week awards. The previous USBWA standard of four was held by the country's top two sophomores---Connecticut's Paige Bueckers and Iowa's Caitlin Clark.
Morrow's streak of 23 consecutive double-doubles that was snapped at the BIG EAST tournament leaves her in very exclusive company as only four other players in NCAA history have had 20-straight or more in one season.
"Adidas has been providing innovative products for the world's best athletes for more than 65 years, from past legends to today's superstars as well as top collegiate basketball programs around the country," said Jonathan Sims of adidas sports marketing.
"The WBCA and adidas are pleased to recognize the important contribution of the first-year student-athlete and to present Aneesah Morrow the WBCA NCAA Division I Freshman of the Year award."
WBCA National Freshman of the Year
2022 – Aneesah Morrow, DePaul
2021 - Paige Bueckers, Connecticut and Caitlin Clark, Iowa
2020 - Aliyah Boston, South Carolina
2019 - Rhyne Howard, Kentucky
2018 – Chennedy Carter, Texas A&M University
2017 – Destiny Slocum, Maryland
On Tuesday, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) bestowed its prestigious NCAA Division I Freshman of the Year Award presented by adidas upon the Blue Demon All-American.
Morrow becomes the first DePaul basketball player of either gender to win multiple national freshman of the year honors. She was named The Athletic National Freshman of the Year earlier this month.
The only other Blue Demon to win National Freshman of the Year was former Whitney Young All-State forward Quentin Richardson who was honored in 1999 by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA).
Connecticut star Paige Bueckers and Iowa All-American Caitlin Clark were the WBCA's Co-National Freshman of the Year in 2021.
After not appearing on ESPN's list of 100 top girls basketball recruits last year, Morrow has made a quantum leap this year---already being voted onto four All-American teams. She is All-American Second Team with the Associated Press, USBWA, Sports Illustrated and The Athletic.
Earlier this season, ESPN was the first to proclaim her the No. 1 freshman in the land. That was well before she shattered the DePaul all-time record for rebounds in a season with 457. The previous mark was 397 by All-American Diana Vines in 1986-87.
Morrow has also set a new season record for rebounds per game with 13.8, eclipsing Vines' 13.7 in 1986-87.
The WBCA Freshman of the Year Award honors the best NCAA Division I women's basketball freshman or redshirt freshman. All conference freshman players of the year in NCAA Division I are considered for the award. If a conference does not select a freshman player of the year, the conference office can nominate one player to be considered.
"Energy, enthusiasm, effort and effectiveness — these are hallmark pillars that each coach hopes their first-year, student-athletes will contribute to the team," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "The WBCA and adidas recognize the important contribution of first-year student-athletes.
"I am pleased to present the WBCA NCAA Division I Freshman of the Year award to Aneesah Morrow. Aneesah most certainly contributed to DePaul's success, and we recognize and applaud her immediate impact this season."
Immediate impact is an apt description of Morrow's first foray into the elite level of DI basketball. The soft-spoken yet relentless rookie scored 31 points and grabbed nine rebounds during her NCAA debut against Texas Southern.
That's the most points scored in a rookie debut during Hall of Fame coach Doug Bruno's illustrious 36-year career.
It was the launching of an unparalleled freshman season that saw the former Simeon All-Stater lead the country in doubles and rebounding while consistently ranking among the top five in field goals and points.
The unanimous BIG EAST Freshman of the Year and All-BIG EAST First Team selection had a jaw-dropping stretch Jan. 21-26 when she finished with 33 points and 15 rebounds against Butler, 32 points and 15 boards against Xavier and 30 points and 14 rebounds against No. 10/9 Connecticut.
According to ESPN Stats and Information Research, that was the first time a NCAA women's basketball player had strung together three consecutive games of 30 points and 10 rebounds since current Washington Mystics star Alyssa Clark accomplished the feat for Middle Tennessee in 2010.
Morrow is a national finalist for two of the most prestigious awards in women's college basketball---the John Wooden Player of the Year and the Naismith Trophy Player of the Year. She is among the five finalists for the Katrina McClain Power Forward of the Year Award and was a top 10 finalist for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.
The 6-foot, 1-inch power forward broke 11 conference records including most rebounds in a game (27 at Seton Hall) and most rebounds in a season (BIG EAST games). Her 41 points at Creighton set a new freshman standard.
She made history as the first player ever to win five USBWA National Freshman of Week awards and the first to win 13 BIG EAST Freshman of the Week awards. The previous USBWA standard of four was held by the country's top two sophomores---Connecticut's Paige Bueckers and Iowa's Caitlin Clark.
Morrow's streak of 23 consecutive double-doubles that was snapped at the BIG EAST tournament leaves her in very exclusive company as only four other players in NCAA history have had 20-straight or more in one season.
"Adidas has been providing innovative products for the world's best athletes for more than 65 years, from past legends to today's superstars as well as top collegiate basketball programs around the country," said Jonathan Sims of adidas sports marketing.
"The WBCA and adidas are pleased to recognize the important contribution of the first-year student-athlete and to present Aneesah Morrow the WBCA NCAA Division I Freshman of the Year award."
WBCA National Freshman of the Year
2022 – Aneesah Morrow, DePaul
2021 - Paige Bueckers, Connecticut and Caitlin Clark, Iowa
2020 - Aliyah Boston, South Carolina
2019 - Rhyne Howard, Kentucky
2018 – Chennedy Carter, Texas A&M University
2017 – Destiny Slocum, Maryland
Players Mentioned
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