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Wade Trophy
View on Wikipedia| Wade Trophy | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | The best female college basketball player in the United States |
| Country | United States |
| Presented by | Women's Basketball Coaches Association (starting in 2001) |
| First award | 1978 |
| Currently held by | Paige Bueckers, UConn |
| Website | Official website |
The Wade Trophy is an award presented annually to the best upperclass women's basketball player in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I competition. It is named after three–time national champion Delta State University coach Lily Margaret Wade. The award debuted in 1978 as the first–ever women's national player of the year award in college basketball. State Farm Insurance sponsors the award, and the trophy is presented at the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) National Convention.
UConn has the most all-time awards with ten, and the most individual recipients, with seven. Maya Moore is the only player to win the Wade Trophy three times, accomplishing the feat in 2009 (only sophomore ever to win the award), 2010 and 2011. Other multiple award winners include Nancy Lieberman (1979, 1980), Seimone Augustus (2005, 2006), Brittney Griner (2012, 2013), Breanna Stewart (2015, 2016), Sabrina Ionescu (2019, 2020), and Caitlin Clark (2023, 2024).
Baylor is in sole possession of second in total awards, and is in a second-place tie with two other schools for the most individual recipients. Three Baylor players have combined to win four awards. The other two programs with three individual recipients are Louisiana Tech and Texas, with all of each school's winners having received the award once. There have never been any ties for the award.
Eligibility and criteria
[edit]All academically eligible women's basketball athletes, except freshmen, in NCAA Division I qualify as candidates.
- Member of the NCAA Division I Kodak/WBCA All-America Team
- Game and season statistics
- Effect on team
- Leadership
- Character
- Overall playing ability
- Player that embodies the "Spirit of Margaret Wade" as defined by the WBCA and the NAGWS
Winners
[edit]



| Player (n) | Denotes the number of times the player has been awarded the Wade Trophy at that point |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ iThemesLab. "Carol Blazejowski - Women's Basketball Hall of Fame". www.wbhof.com. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ a b c d "Augustus Repeats as Wade Trophy Winner; Named Kodak All-American". LSUsports.net. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ "Kansas Sports Hall of Fame - Woodard, Lynette". www.kshof.org. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE; Pam Kelly Honored". The New York Times. 1982-03-31. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ WHITE, LONNIE (1989-01-10). "After College, American Stars Play Overseas--or Not at All". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ "Janice Lawrence Braxton". Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ "Reign of Troy honors Black History Month: Cheryl Miller". Reign of Troy. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ "University of Northern Colorado - 2014-15 Women's Basketball Coaching Staff". www.uncbears.com. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ Wilkinson, Jack. "Pennefather heeds her calling". www.catholiceducation.org. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ "Ambassador Teresa Weatherspoon | National Basketball Retired Players Association". www.legendsofbasketball.com. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ "Assistant Coach Clarissa Davis-Wrightsil". University of Texas. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ "University of San Francisco Dons Athletics - 2014-15 Women's Basketball Coaching Staff". www.usfdons.com. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ "Daedra Charles-Furlow named girls' coach at West". www.knoxnews.com. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ "FRIARS.COM - Official Athletic Site Official Athletic Site - Women's Basketball". www.friars.com. Archived from the original on 2018-04-05. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ "Karen Jennings". Huskers.com. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ "Catching up with Carol Ann (Shudlick) Smith". www.gophersports.com. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ "Lobo Awarded Wade Trophy". The New York Times. 1995-04-18. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ "Hartford Hawks Athletics - 2014-15 Women's Basketball Coaching Staff". www.hartfordhawks.com. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ "SPARKS: Milton-Jones and Ross Reunited by Basketball". www.wnba.com. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ "Ticha Penicheiro Selected For Induction Into The Virginia Sports Hall Of Fame". odusports.com. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ "New Fever coach Stephanie White altered her career plan from astronaut to WNBA leader". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ "GOFROGS.COM - Edwina Brown Bio - TCU Horned Frogs Official Athletic Site". www.gofrogs.com. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ "Jackie Stiles - Women's Basketball Coach". Missouri State. Retrieved 2020-07-17.
- ^ "ESPN.com: NCW - Bird wins Wade Trophy, AP Player of Year". a.espncdn.com. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ "Margaret Wade: The Coach, The Teacher, The Legend - Delta State University". www.deltastate.edu. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ "Alana Beard Named State Farm Wade Trophy/Associated Press National Player of the Year". goduke.com. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ "CANDACE PARKER NAMED STATE FARM WADE TROPHY PLAYER OF THE YEAR". www.utsports.com. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ Eymer, Rick. "Wiggins wins Wade Trophy as national player of the year". www.paloaltoonline.com. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ a b c "UConn's Maya Moore wins Wade Trophy, AP award". The Day. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ a b c "Odyssey Sims wins 2014 Wade Trophy". www.baylorbears.com. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ a b "Breanna Stewart of UConn Huskies wins second straight Wade Trophy". espnW. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- ^ "Wade Trophy winner Kelsey Plum of Washington headlines 2017 wbca ncaa division i coaches' all-american team". Women's Basketball Coaches Association (Press release). Archived from the original on 2017-04-02. Retrieved 2017-04-03.
- ^ "Wade Trophy Winner A'ja Wilson Headlines 2018 WBCA NCAA Division I Coaches' All-America Team" (Press release). Women's Basketball Coaches Association. March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
- ^ "Wade Trophy Winner Sabrina Ionescu Headlines 2019 WBCA NCAA Division I Coaches' All-America Team" (Press release). Women's Basketball Coaches Association. April 4, 2019. Archived from the original on April 5, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
- ^ "Sabrina Ionescu adds second Wade Trophy to growing list of accolades". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
- ^ "Wade Trophy Winner NaLyssa Smith of Baylor Headlines 2021 WBCA Division I Coaches' All-America Team" (Press release). Women's Basketball Coaches Association. April 3, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
- ^ "Wade Trophy winner Aliyah Boston headlines 2022 WBCA NCAA Division I Coaches' All-America team" (Press release). Women's Basketball Coaches Association. March 31, 2022. Archived from the original on September 25, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
- ^ "Wade Trophy Winner Caitlin Clark Headlines 2023 WBCA NCAA Division I Coaches' All-America Team" (Press release). Women's Basketball Coaches Association. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
- ^ "Caitlin Clark Wins Second Wade Trophy, Headlines 2024 WBCA NCAA Division I Coaches' All-America Team" (Press release).
External links
[edit]- Official website Archived 2014-07-15 at the Wayback Machine
Wade Trophy
View on GrokipediaOverview
Description
The Wade Trophy is an annual award given to the most outstanding upperclass (sophomore, junior, or senior) player in NCAA Division I women's basketball, honoring exceptional athletic performance, leadership, and academic achievement both on and off the court.[2] Established in 1978, it stands as the oldest and most prestigious national player-of-the-year recognition in college women's basketball.[1] Since 2001, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) has presented the Wade Trophy to its NCAA Division I Player of the Year, selected from the WBCA Coaches' All-America Team.[1] The award is named after Lily Margaret Wade, the pioneering coach who led Delta State University to three consecutive Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) championships in the 1970s.[1] The Wade Trophy recognizes a single recipient each year, highlighting the top performer among eligible upperclass athletes.[3]Significance
The Wade Trophy stands as one of the most prestigious individual honors in women's college basketball, recognized as the oldest national player of the year award in the sport since its inception in 1978.[1] Presented annually by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), it celebrates not only athletic excellence but also leadership, academic achievement, and community impact, serving as a benchmark for the highest standards in NCAA Division I women's basketball.[1] A key aspect of the award's significance lies in its emphasis on upperclass players, providing a dedicated platform to highlight their seasoned contributions, maturity, and leadership—qualities often overshadowed by the spotlight on incoming freshmen phenoms in other accolades.[4] By focusing on players who have honed their skills over multiple seasons, the Wade Trophy underscores the value of sustained development and team elevation, fostering greater recognition for veterans who drive program success and inspire peers.[3] The award's creation in 1978 coincided with the transformative effects of Title IX, enacted in 1972, which catalyzed exponential growth in women's sports participation and visibility.[5] As women's college basketball transitioned from regional competitions under the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) to national prominence, the Wade Trophy played a pivotal role in promoting the sport by spotlighting elite talent during this era of expansion, helping to elevate fan interest, media coverage, and investment in women's athletics.[6] Reflecting its impact, certain programs have achieved notable dominance, with the University of Connecticut securing 10 Wade Trophy honors—the most of any school—through winners across multiple eras, which illustrates the award's alignment with sustained excellence and its contribution to highlighting powerhouse dynasties in women's basketball.[7]History
Establishment
The Wade Trophy was established in 1978 by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), a predecessor organization to what is now SHAPE America, as the first national player of the year award in women's college basketball.[1] This creation came amid the sport's rapid growth following the passage of Title IX in 1972, which mandated equal opportunities for women in education programs receiving federal funding and spurred increased participation, scholarships, and competitive structures in women's athletics.[8] In the late 1970s, women's college basketball operated under the governance of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW), which had organized national championships since 1972 and emphasized broad participation over commercialism, contrasting with the emerging influence of the NCAA.[8] The award aimed to recognize the top performer who exemplified excellence on the court and leadership off it, highlighting individual talent during this period of professionalization marked by rising visibility, media coverage, and the transition toward more structured collegiate programs before the NCAA's full takeover of women's sports in 1982. The inaugural Wade Trophy was presented for the 1977–78 season to Carol Blazejowski, a guard from Montclair State University, who had led her team to a 25–7 record and earned All-America honors under the AIAW framework.[1][9] Initially administered by AAHPERD through its National Association for Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS) division, the award's oversight focused on selecting recipients based on contributions to the sport's development and role-model qualities.[10] The trophy was named in tribute to legendary coach Margaret Wade, who had built Delta State's dynasty with three consecutive AIAW titles from 1975 to 1977.[1]Naming and Sponsorship Evolution
The Wade Trophy is named in honor of Lily Margaret Wade, a pioneering coach at Delta State University who led the Lady Statesmen to three consecutive Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) national championships from 1975 to 1977, compiling a 157–23 record during her tenure from 1973 to 1979.[11][12] Wade, born on December 30, 1912, began her coaching career at the high school level in Mississippi, amassing a 453–89 record over 21 seasons at schools including Cleveland High School, where she built dominant programs.[11][13] She was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985 for her contributions to women's basketball, and she passed away on February 16, 1995.[11][12] The award was established in 1978 by the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS) as the first national player-of-the-year honor in women's college basketball.[10][14] In the early years, the WBCA played a supporting role in management alongside NAGWS, but this evolved into a formal partnership during the 2000–01 season, when the WBCA joined the Wade Coalition to oversee selection and presentation, marking a shift toward greater WBCA involvement in the award's administration.[1][15] Sponsorship transitioned in the early 2000s from Kodak to State Farm Insurance, which became the title sponsor around 2002–2003 to provide financial support and enhance promotion of women's basketball.[16][17] This partnership aligned the award with the WBCA National Convention for annual presentations, boosting its visibility. In 2016–17, the WBCA assumed full ownership of the Wade Trophy, solidifying its role as the primary steward while State Farm continued as sponsor.[1][15]Selection Process
Eligibility Requirements
The Wade Trophy recognizes outstanding performance by women's basketball players in NCAA Division I, with eligibility open to all academically eligible players—including freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students—who are members of the WBCA NCAA Division I Coaches' All-America Team. Prior to the 2021–22 season, freshmen were ineligible, but the criteria were updated to include them, broadening the pool to honor excellence across all class years.[1][18] Candidates must maintain full academic eligibility under NCAA bylaws and their institution's standards throughout the entire season, allowing them to participate without interruption due to academic or compliance issues. This includes compliance with NCAA rules on amateurism, progress toward degree, and any applicable waivers, such as those for medical hardships or transfers. Active roster status on an NCAA Division I team is mandatory, emphasizing players who contribute meaningfully during the regular season and postseason.[1] The award imposes no nationality restrictions, enabling international student-athletes enrolled and competing at NCAA Division I institutions to qualify, provided they meet all other criteria; this openness has facilitated diverse representation among nominees since the award's early years.[1] Established in 1978, the Wade Trophy's eligibility framework has evolved to align with NCAA policy shifts, including expanded opportunities for graduate transfers in 2022 and additional eligibility years due to the 2020–21 COVID-19 extensions, allowing fifth-year or postgraduate athletes to compete without disqualifying them from consideration. These adjustments preserve the award's core emphasis on contributors while adapting to modern roster dynamics.[19]Selection Criteria
The selection criteria for the Wade Trophy prioritize a holistic evaluation of a player's performance, impact, and character, ensuring recipients exemplify excellence in NCAA Division I women's basketball. Primary consideration is given to membership on the WBCA NCAA Division I Coaches' All-America Team, which highlights players with outstanding individual statistics—such as points, rebounds, and assists per game—and significant contributions to team success, including win records and postseason achievements.[1] In addition to quantitative measures, the criteria emphasize intangible qualities that demonstrate on-court impact beyond raw numbers, including leadership, character, and the player's overall effect on team dynamics. This approach balances offensive and defensive contributions, valuing versatility in scoring, rebounding, playmaking, and defensive prowess while promoting team-oriented play.[20][21] Central to the evaluation is the requirement that candidates embody the "Spirit of Margaret Wade," reflecting the legendary coach's legacy of athletic excellence, sportsmanship, and ethical conduct as outlined in NCAA principles. This includes positive role modeling through adherence to institutional and league standards, ensuring the award honors players who elevate the sport both competitively and personally.[1]Voting and Announcement
The selection of the Wade Trophy winner is conducted by the WBCA NCAA Division I Awards Committee, composed of head coaches from each region elected by their peers. This committee evaluates candidates based on their performance and contributions throughout the season, with the winner chosen exclusively from the 10 members of the WBCA NCAA Division I Coaches’ All-America team. The process emphasizes athletic excellence alongside leadership and role-model qualities, though detailed criteria are outlined separately.[1][22] The procedural timeline begins in early November with the release of the preseason "Wade Watch" list, compiled by the WBCA NCAA Division I Awards Committee to highlight top candidates; for instance, the 2025-26 list featured 15 players, with the SEC leading all conferences with seven selections. Additions to this watch list may occur during the season if additional players emerge as strong contenders. In late March, typically following the conclusion of the regular season and conference tournaments, four finalists are announced from a larger pool of eligible players who are also contenders for the Coaches’ All-America honors; these finalists advance based on committee review of season-long performances. The full 10-member All-America team is then finalized, and deliberations are conducted by the committee to determine the Wade Trophy recipient.[23][1][24] The winner is announced in early April during the annual WBCA Convention, which coincides with the NCAA Women's Final Four weekend and is held at the tournament's host site, such as Tampa, Florida, in 2025 or Phoenix, Arizona, for the 2026 event. This timing allows for recognition amid the national championship festivities, with the announcement often made via official WBCA press release on the Thursday before the Final Four semifinals. The award presentation occurs as part of the convention's events, celebrating the recipient's achievements in a professional setting dedicated to women's basketball excellence.[24][22][25]Recipients
List of Winners
The Wade Trophy has been awarded annually since the 1977–78 season to the top player in women's college basketball, initially under AIAW governance and subsequently under NCAA Division I, with the following complete list of recipients.[26]| Season | Player | School | PPG | RPG | APG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977–78 | Carol Blazejowski | Montclair State | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 1978–79 | Nancy Lieberman | Old Dominion | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 1979–80 | Nancy Lieberman | Old Dominion | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 1980–81 | Lynette Woodard | Kansas | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 1981–82 | Pam Kelly | Louisiana Tech | 20.3 | 9.1 | N/A |
| 1982–83 | LaTaunya Pollard | Long Beach State | 29.3 | 8.9 | N/A |
| 1983–84 | Janice Lawrence | Louisiana Tech | 21.3 | 8.1 | N/A |
| 1984–85 | Cheryl Miller | Southern California | 26.8 | 15.8 | 2.9 |
| 1985–86 | Kamie Ethridge | Texas | 5.2 | 2.6 | 6.1 |
| 1986–87 | Shelly Pennefather | Villanova | 21.8 | 9.9 | 4.3 |
| 1987–88 | Teresa Weatherspoon | Louisiana Tech | 9.1 | 4.4 | 6.0 |
| 1988–89 | Clarissa Davis-Wrightsil | Texas | 26.3 | 9.9 | 1.0 |
| 1989–90 | Jennifer Azzi | Stanford | 14.7 | 3.8 | 6.0 |
| 1990–91 | Daedra Charles | Tennessee | 17.3 | 9.2 | 1.2 |
| 1991–92 | Susan Robinson | Penn State | 18.0 | 7.9 | 1.5 |
| 1992–93 | Karen Jennings | Nebraska | 20.9 | 8.0 | 1.5 |
| 1993–94 | Carol Ann Shudlick | Minnesota | 23.4 | 6.8 | 2.7 |
| 1994–95 | Rebecca Lobo | Connecticut | 17.1 | 9.8 | 3.7 |
| 1995–96 | Jennifer Rizzotti | Connecticut | 11.0 | 3.3 | 5.8 |
| 1996–97 | DeLisha Milton-Jones | Florida | 18.6 | 8.9 | 2.0 |
| 1997–98 | Ticha Penicheiro | Old Dominion | 10.8 | 5.1 | 7.5 |
| 1998–99 | Stephanie White | Purdue | 20.2 | 5.4 | 4.5 |
| 1999–00 | Edwina Brown | Texas | 21.2 | 8.4 | 6.0 |
| 2000–01 | Jackie Stiles | Missouri State | 30.3 | 3.5 | 1.9 |
| 2001–02 | Sue Bird | Connecticut | 14.4 | 3.4 | 5.9 |
| 2002–03 | Diana Taurasi | Connecticut | 17.9 | 6.1 | 4.4 |
| 2003–04 | Alana Beard | Duke | 19.7 | 5.4 | 3.9 |
| 2004–05 | Seimone Augustus | Louisiana State | 20.1 | 4.6 | 2.1 |
| 2005–06 | Seimone Augustus | Louisiana State | 22.7 | 4.7 | 1.8 |
| 2006–07 | Candace Parker | Tennessee | 19.6 | 9.8 | 2.4 |
| 2007–08 | Candice Wiggins | Stanford | 20.2 | 4.8 | 3.1 |
| 2008–09 | Maya Moore | Connecticut | 19.3 | 8.9 | 3.3 |
| 2009–10 | Maya Moore | Connecticut | 18.9 | 8.3 | 3.8 |
| 2010–11 | Maya Moore | Connecticut | 22.8 | 8.2 | 4.0 |
| 2011–12 | Brittney Griner | Baylor | 23.2 | 9.5 | 1.6 |
| 2012–13 | Brittney Griner | Baylor | 23.8 | 9.4 | 2.4 |
| 2013–14 | Odyssey Sims | Baylor | 28.5 | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| 2014–15 | Breanna Stewart | Connecticut | 17.6 | 7.8 | 3.1 |
| 2015–16 | Breanna Stewart | Connecticut | 19.4 | 8.7 | 4.0 |
| 2016–17 | Kelsey Plum | Washington | 31.7 | 5.1 | 4.8 |
| 2017–18 | A'ja Wilson | South Carolina | 22.6 | 11.8 | 1.7 |
| 2018–19 | Sabrina Ionescu | Oregon | 19.9 | 7.4 | 8.2 |
| 2019–20 | Sabrina Ionescu | Oregon | 17.5 | 8.6 | 9.1 |
| 2020–21 | NaLyssa Smith | Baylor | 18.0 | 8.9 | 1.2 |
| 2021–22 | Aliyah Boston | South Carolina | 16.8 | 12.5 | 2.0 |
| 2022–23 | Caitlin Clark | Iowa | 27.8 | 7.1 | 8.6 |
| 2023–24 | Caitlin Clark | Iowa | 31.6 | 7.4 | 8.9 |
| 2024–25 | Paige Bueckers | Connecticut | 19.9 | 4.4 | 4.6 |
