Nov. 15, 2012

Atlanta Tip-Off Club release

STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford forward Chiney Ogwumike was named to the 2012-13 Naismith Trophy Early Season Watch List, the Atlanta Tip-Off Club announced Thursday.

It marks the third watch list that Ogwumike has been named to for a major national player of the year award. She was named to the Wade Watch list for the Wade Trophy as well as the preseason watch list of the John R. Wooden award prior to the start of the season.

Ogwumike is one of 50 players named to the Naismith list, and one of two Pac-12 players along with UCLA's Markel Walker. The Naismith Trophy will be presented on April 8, 2013 in New Orleans, site of the 2013 Women's Final Four.

Last year, the Cypress, Texas native was named a WBCA Coaches All-American and second-team Associated Press All-American, as well as earning the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year award and a spot on the All-Pac-12 Team.

Through the first two games this season Ogwumike has averaged 22.5 points and 12.0 rebounds while shooting a scorching 67.9 percent from the field. She captured her fourth career Pac-12 Player of the Week honor thanks to performances of 23 points and 17 rebounds last Friday as Stanford extended its national-best home winning streak to 80 games with a 72-61 win over Fresno State, and 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting in last Sunday's 92-57 win at Santa Clara.

At Santa Clara, Ogwumike also became the 33rd member of Stanford's 1,000-Point Club, as her 22 points lifted her career total to 1,010 points, currently tied for 32nd with Bethany Donaphin (1998-2002).

This weekend, Ogwumike and the Cardinal are in Honolulu for three games in three days at the Jack in the Box Rainbow Wahine Classic. Stanford opens the weekend Friday at 4:30 p.m. against No. 1/1 Baylor in a marquee early-season matchup, and follows with host Hawai'i Saturday at 9 p.m. PT and Tennessee-Martin Sunday at 7 p.m. PT.