Texas Tech University Athletics
Gray announced to Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 Watch List
November 09, 2021 | Women's Basketball
The John. R Wooden Award is given to the most outstanding player in college basketball.
LOS ANGELES – Lady Raider basketball senior guard Vivian Gray has been announced as one of the top 50 women's college basketball players on the John R. Wooden Award Preseason Watch List Tuesday afternoon.
Chosen by a preseason poll of national college basketball experts, the list is comprised of 50 student-athletes who are early front-runners for the most prestigious honors in college basketball, the Wooden Award All American Team and the Most Outstanding Player Award. Gray is one of seven players from the Big 12 represented on the list, joining Queen Egbo (Baylor), Lauren Heard (TCU), Ashley Joens (Iowa State), Ayoka Lee (Kansas State), Jordan Lewis (Baylor) and NaLyssa Smith (Baylor). Last season, Paige Bueckers of Connecticut took home the coveted trophy.
Gray earns her way onto the Preseason Watch List for the second straight season. The three-time All-American has been named a unanimous Preseason All-Big 12 selection and a Cheryl Miller Award Watch List nominee heading into the 2021-22 season.
The super senior announced her return for her fifth season in March, after finishing the 2020-21 campaign fourth in the conference in scoring (19.8 ppg), eighth in rebounding (8.2 rpg), 10th in field goal percentage (.438) and fifth in blocked shots (1.6 bpg). Gray was the only power five player in the nation to average over 19 points, eight rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, garnering WBCA Coaches All-America Honorable Mention and All-Big 12 First Team Honors. Last season, she was named a top 10 finalist for the Cheryl Miller Award.
"There is no doubt that Vivian should be included in a list like this," said Lady Raider head coach Krista Gerlich. "She is one of the best players in the nation. Returning for her super senior year, I think she has positioned herself to be in the tops of these awards and it goes to show her hard work is paying off. It's great to see her get this special recognition."
The 2021-22 Lady Raider basketball season tips off Thursday, Nov. 11 against Southeastern Louisiana at United Supermarkets Arena.
The Wooden Award All American Team will be announced the week of the "Elite Eight" round of the NCAA Tournament. The winner of the 2022 John R. Wooden Award will be presented by Wendy's following the NCAA Tournament in April.
For up-to-date information on the Wooden Award, please go to www.woodenaward.com and follow the Wooden Award on Facebook at www.facebook.com/woodenaward and @WoodenAward on Twitter and Instagram.
For more information and updates on Lady Raider basketball and the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tipoff follow @LadyRaiderWBB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Chosen by a preseason poll of national college basketball experts, the list is comprised of 50 student-athletes who are early front-runners for the most prestigious honors in college basketball, the Wooden Award All American Team and the Most Outstanding Player Award. Gray is one of seven players from the Big 12 represented on the list, joining Queen Egbo (Baylor), Lauren Heard (TCU), Ashley Joens (Iowa State), Ayoka Lee (Kansas State), Jordan Lewis (Baylor) and NaLyssa Smith (Baylor). Last season, Paige Bueckers of Connecticut took home the coveted trophy.
Gray earns her way onto the Preseason Watch List for the second straight season. The three-time All-American has been named a unanimous Preseason All-Big 12 selection and a Cheryl Miller Award Watch List nominee heading into the 2021-22 season.
The super senior announced her return for her fifth season in March, after finishing the 2020-21 campaign fourth in the conference in scoring (19.8 ppg), eighth in rebounding (8.2 rpg), 10th in field goal percentage (.438) and fifth in blocked shots (1.6 bpg). Gray was the only power five player in the nation to average over 19 points, eight rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, garnering WBCA Coaches All-America Honorable Mention and All-Big 12 First Team Honors. Last season, she was named a top 10 finalist for the Cheryl Miller Award.
"There is no doubt that Vivian should be included in a list like this," said Lady Raider head coach Krista Gerlich. "She is one of the best players in the nation. Returning for her super senior year, I think she has positioned herself to be in the tops of these awards and it goes to show her hard work is paying off. It's great to see her get this special recognition."
The 2021-22 Lady Raider basketball season tips off Thursday, Nov. 11 against Southeastern Louisiana at United Supermarkets Arena.
The Wooden Award All American Team will be announced the week of the "Elite Eight" round of the NCAA Tournament. The winner of the 2022 John R. Wooden Award will be presented by Wendy's following the NCAA Tournament in April.
For up-to-date information on the Wooden Award, please go to www.woodenaward.com and follow the Wooden Award on Facebook at www.facebook.com/woodenaward and @WoodenAward on Twitter and Instagram.
For more information and updates on Lady Raider basketball and the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tipoff follow @LadyRaiderWBB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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