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Watson Named to Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award Preseason Watch List
10/9/2024 10:57:00 AM | Women's Basketball
HOPEWELL, NJ - University at Buffalo women's basketball fifth year guard Chellia Watson has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award, as announced by Her Hoop Stats on Wednesday morning.
Watson is the only player from the Mid-American Conference on the list, which includes representatives from 22 teams and 15 conferences.
The Winder, GA native was named First Team All-MAC and became the fifth Bull in program history to earn postseason All-America status after putting together a prolific scoring season in which she averaged 23.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 43% from the floor. She scored in double figures in 31 of 33 games, including 23 20+ point performances, three 30-point efforts and a school-record setting 47-point performance. She led the MAC and ranked fourth in the nation in scoring (23.0 ppg) while also ranking in the top 10 nationally in total points (759), field goals (297) and field goals made per game (9.0).
"I'm really proud of Chellia for this recognition," said head coach Becky Burke. "Am I surprised? No. I believe she is one of the best players in the country and I'm just so happy for her. She's an excellent basketball player but an even better person. You love to see good things happen to good people. Ultimately, she loves basketball and loves Buffalo, so I'm glad she can represent this City and this University in such an outstanding way. She's in great company on this list and it's an incredible honor."
To be eligible for this award, players must compete in one of the 26 conferences deemed to be "mid-major." The 15-player midseason watch list will be announced in January, followed by 10 semifinalists announced in February. The five finalists will be announced in early March, with the winner announced around the Final Four.
2025 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award Preseason Watch List*
Chellia Watson, Buffalo
Emma Ronsiek, Colorado St.
Katie Dinnebier, Drake
Megan McConnell, Duquesne
Meghan Andersen, Fairfield
Janelle Brown, Fairfield
Emani Jefferson, FGCU
Yvonne Ejim, Gonzaga
Harmoni Turner, Harvard
Akasha Davis, Lamar
Bella Smuda, Liberty
Adrianna Smith, Maine
DeeDee Hagemann, Memphis
Anastasiia Boldyreva, Middle Tenn.
Katelyn Young, Murray St.
Diamond Johnson, Norfolk St.
Kierra Wheeler, Norfolk St.
Ny'Ceara Pryor, Sacred Heart
Grace Larkins, South Dakota
Brooklyn Meyer, South Dakota St.
Paige Miller, South Dakota St.
Delanie Crawford, Tulsa
Jordyn Jenkins, UTSA
Rachael Rose, Wofford
Allyson Fertig, Wyoming
*The list is fluid and players may play their way on or off the list over the course of the season.
Watson is the only player from the Mid-American Conference on the list, which includes representatives from 22 teams and 15 conferences.
The Winder, GA native was named First Team All-MAC and became the fifth Bull in program history to earn postseason All-America status after putting together a prolific scoring season in which she averaged 23.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 43% from the floor. She scored in double figures in 31 of 33 games, including 23 20+ point performances, three 30-point efforts and a school-record setting 47-point performance. She led the MAC and ranked fourth in the nation in scoring (23.0 ppg) while also ranking in the top 10 nationally in total points (759), field goals (297) and field goals made per game (9.0).
"I'm really proud of Chellia for this recognition," said head coach Becky Burke. "Am I surprised? No. I believe she is one of the best players in the country and I'm just so happy for her. She's an excellent basketball player but an even better person. You love to see good things happen to good people. Ultimately, she loves basketball and loves Buffalo, so I'm glad she can represent this City and this University in such an outstanding way. She's in great company on this list and it's an incredible honor."
To be eligible for this award, players must compete in one of the 26 conferences deemed to be "mid-major." The 15-player midseason watch list will be announced in January, followed by 10 semifinalists announced in February. The five finalists will be announced in early March, with the winner announced around the Final Four.
2025 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award Preseason Watch List*
Chellia Watson, Buffalo
Emma Ronsiek, Colorado St.
Katie Dinnebier, Drake
Megan McConnell, Duquesne
Meghan Andersen, Fairfield
Janelle Brown, Fairfield
Emani Jefferson, FGCU
Yvonne Ejim, Gonzaga
Harmoni Turner, Harvard
Akasha Davis, Lamar
Bella Smuda, Liberty
Adrianna Smith, Maine
DeeDee Hagemann, Memphis
Anastasiia Boldyreva, Middle Tenn.
Katelyn Young, Murray St.
Diamond Johnson, Norfolk St.
Kierra Wheeler, Norfolk St.
Ny'Ceara Pryor, Sacred Heart
Grace Larkins, South Dakota
Brooklyn Meyer, South Dakota St.
Paige Miller, South Dakota St.
Delanie Crawford, Tulsa
Jordyn Jenkins, UTSA
Rachael Rose, Wofford
Allyson Fertig, Wyoming
*The list is fluid and players may play their way on or off the list over the course of the season.
Players Mentioned
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