March 14, 2013

John R. Wooden Award Final Ballot

STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford's Chiney Ogwumike was named to the 15-woman John R. Wooden Award final ballot, the Los Angeles Athletic Club announced Thursday.

Ogwumike, already on the watch lists of other major national player of the year awards such as the Wade Trophy, Naismith Trophy and the USBWA Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, remains the only player in the country to rank in the national top 10 in scoring (22.4 ppg - sixth), rebounding (13.1 rpg - fourth), field-goal percentage (57.4 - fifth) and double-doubles (26 - first).

The Cypress, Texas native last week became the first player to be named Pac-12 Player and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season, earning her first top player honor and her second straight top defender award. She was also named to both the All-Pac-12 and Pac-12 All-Defensive Teams for the third straight year.

Ogwumike's performances have helped pace Stanford to a 31-2 record, the program's sixth straight 30-win season and 12th overall. The Cardinal also went 17-1 in conference play, clinching a share of its 13th straight Pac-12 regular-season title and 22nd overall. Last weekend Ogwumike was named the Pac-12 Tournament's Most Outstanding Player for averaging 17.0 points and 16.7 rebounds as Stanford captured its seventh straight tournament crown.

The 2012 All-American also starred against many of the nation's top teams, averaging 20.1 points and 11.8 rebounds while shooting 49.5 percent against frequent double- and triple-teams as Stanford has gone 10-2 opposite 12 Top-25 opponents this season. Standing out among those performances is an 18-point, eight-rebound effort which included scoring the winning points in Nov. 16's 71-69 win over then-No. 1/1 Baylor, 21 points and 19 rebounds in a 73-60 win at No. 10 Tennessee on Dec. 22 and averages of 22.0 points and 7.5 rebounds over two games against No. 5/5 California.

This season Ogwumike has also earned six Pac-12 Player of the Week honors, setting a new single-season conference record. Her nine total honors are tied for the all-time Pac-12 lead with former Cardinal standouts Candice Wiggins (2004-08) and Jayne Appel (2006-10).

The Cardinal, the Pac-12's automatic qualifier into the NCAA Tournament, awaits the path to a sixth straight Final Four and third national title which will be revealed Monday, March 18 at 4 p.m. PT on the NCAA Tournament Selection Show. Stanford will open tournament play at Maples Pavilion Sunday, March 24.