.png&width=22&height=22&type=webp)
Fair Earns Spot on Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award Preseason Watch List
10/20/2021 11:02:00 AM | Women's Basketball
HOPEWELL, NJ - University at Buffalo women's basketball junior guard Dyaisha Fair has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2022 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award, as announced by Her Hoop Stats on Wednesday morning. It is the third straight year Fair has been named to this list.
The Becky Hammon Award was first awarded in 2020, with South Dakota's Ciara Duffy being named the inaugural winner. FGCU's Kierstan Bell won the award in 2021. This year's preseason watch list includes representation from 22 schools and 13 conferences.
Bowling Green's Lexi Fleming and Ohio's Cece Hooks join Fair as representatives from the Mid-American Conference on the 25-player list.
Fair was named to the All-MAC First Team and All Defensive Team a season ago after averaging 24.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. She became the fastest player in program history and 14th fastest in Division I women's basketball history to score 1,000 career points, doing so in her 44th career game. Fair also recorded the program's first triple double in nearly 20 years with 28 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in a win over Akron. The Rochester, NY native finished the season ranked sixth in the nation in scoring (24.1) while also ranking in the top 25 in free throws made (145), free throws attempted (179), final points (579), steals (70), field goals made (187), field goals attempted (513) and assists (120)
"We are humbled an excited to be recognized nationally for having a person of Dyaisha's caliber to be represented on this list," said head coach Felisha Legette-Jack. "We think that Dyaisha is one of the best guards in our conference and her humility and fire is what ignites her to be who she is. We are grateful to see her recognized as one of the top student-athletes in the mid-major conferences."
To be eligible for this award, players must compete in one of the 26 conferences deemed to be "mid-major." In January, 15 players will be named to the midseason watch list. The 10 semifinalists will be announced in February, with five finalists being announced in early March. The winner will be announced in late March.
2022 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award Preseason Watch List*
Dariauna Lewis Alabama A&M
Destinee Wells Belmont
Lexi Fleming Bowling Green
Gabi Haack Bradley
Dyaisha Fair Buffalo
Shaylee Gonzales BYU
Caitlyn Harper Cal Baptist
Jasmine Dickey Delaware
Grace Berg Drake
Kierstan Bell FGCU
TK Morehouse FGCU
Hayley Cavinder Fresno State
Jenson Edwards High Point
Macee Williams IUPUI
Ameshya Williams Jackson St.
Kiki Jefferson James Madison
Akila Smith Longwood
Megan Walstad Milwaukee
Brice Calip Missouri St.
Jasmine Franklin Missouri St.
CeCe Hooks Ohio
Stephanie Visscher Stephen F. Austin
Hannah Sjerven South Dakota
Chloe Lamb South Dakota
Myah Selland South Dakota State
*The list is fluid and players may play their way on or off the list over the course of the season.
The Becky Hammon Award was first awarded in 2020, with South Dakota's Ciara Duffy being named the inaugural winner. FGCU's Kierstan Bell won the award in 2021. This year's preseason watch list includes representation from 22 schools and 13 conferences.
Bowling Green's Lexi Fleming and Ohio's Cece Hooks join Fair as representatives from the Mid-American Conference on the 25-player list.
Fair was named to the All-MAC First Team and All Defensive Team a season ago after averaging 24.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. She became the fastest player in program history and 14th fastest in Division I women's basketball history to score 1,000 career points, doing so in her 44th career game. Fair also recorded the program's first triple double in nearly 20 years with 28 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in a win over Akron. The Rochester, NY native finished the season ranked sixth in the nation in scoring (24.1) while also ranking in the top 25 in free throws made (145), free throws attempted (179), final points (579), steals (70), field goals made (187), field goals attempted (513) and assists (120)
"We are humbled an excited to be recognized nationally for having a person of Dyaisha's caliber to be represented on this list," said head coach Felisha Legette-Jack. "We think that Dyaisha is one of the best guards in our conference and her humility and fire is what ignites her to be who she is. We are grateful to see her recognized as one of the top student-athletes in the mid-major conferences."
To be eligible for this award, players must compete in one of the 26 conferences deemed to be "mid-major." In January, 15 players will be named to the midseason watch list. The 10 semifinalists will be announced in February, with five finalists being announced in early March. The winner will be announced in late March.
2022 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award Preseason Watch List*
Dariauna Lewis Alabama A&M
Destinee Wells Belmont
Lexi Fleming Bowling Green
Gabi Haack Bradley
Dyaisha Fair Buffalo
Shaylee Gonzales BYU
Caitlyn Harper Cal Baptist
Jasmine Dickey Delaware
Grace Berg Drake
Kierstan Bell FGCU
TK Morehouse FGCU
Hayley Cavinder Fresno State
Jenson Edwards High Point
Macee Williams IUPUI
Ameshya Williams Jackson St.
Kiki Jefferson James Madison
Akila Smith Longwood
Megan Walstad Milwaukee
Brice Calip Missouri St.
Jasmine Franklin Missouri St.
CeCe Hooks Ohio
Stephanie Visscher Stephen F. Austin
Hannah Sjerven South Dakota
Chloe Lamb South Dakota
Myah Selland South Dakota State
*The list is fluid and players may play their way on or off the list over the course of the season.
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Women's BasketballWomen's Basketball Staff Walk & Talk - Summer Hemphill
Friday, May 22
Women's Basketball Staff Walk & Talk - Ella Unger
Friday, May 22
Women's Basketball Walk & Talk with the Coaches - JoAnna Smith
Friday, May 22
SPORTSCENTER TOP 10! Paula Lopez hits a half court buzzer beater to end the 3rd!
Tuesday, March 03
