St. John's University Athletics
Da'Shena Stevens Selected As Naismith Midseason Candidate
2/25/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 25, 2010
QUEENS, N.Y. - St. John's women's basketball standout Da'Shena Stevens has been selected as one of 30 midseason candidates for the 2010 Women's Naismith Trophy presented by AT&T. The Naismith Trophy is the most prestigious national award presented annually to college basketball's player of the year.
Stevens is one of four BIG EAST players selected to the midseason list. The list was voted on by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors, comprised of leading basketball journalists from around the country. The board based its criteria on player performances this season.
A four-time BIG EAST Honor Roll selection, Stevens has helped the No. 18/19 Red Storm post one of its best seasons in history with her near double-double effort on the season with 13.8 points and 7.5 rebounds. The team's leading scorer and second-leading rebounder, Stevens play has led STJ to its 11th 20-win season in history, its first ranking in both Top 25 Polls since the 2005-06 campaign, its highest ranking in history in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll and its highest ranking in the AP Poll since the 1983-84 season.
The 2009 BIG EAST Freshman of the Year, Stevens leads the team with five double-doubles and 20 double-digit scoring performances. Stevens is also contributing in other ways, as she is averaging the second-most steals per game (1.5).
Two of Stevens' best games in 2009-10 came against top-ranked opponents. She scored a game-high 25 points and added 13 rebounds at then-No. 4/4 North Carolina on Dec. 6. Arguably the biggest game of the season for Stevens resulted in the biggest win in Red Storm history, as she scored 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the 76-71 upset victory over then-No. 4/3 Notre Dame on Feb. 16.
Playing in all 14 BIG EAST games, Stevens has helped STJ more than double its four league victories from a year ago to post 10 this year.
Beginning March 22, AT&T wireless customers - and sports fans on other wireless networks - will be able to text their votes for Stevens. Fans will be eligible to cast their vote for the winner until 11:59 p.m. EDT on Saturday, April 3, 2010. AT&T is making the voting open to other wireless carriers, allowing even more fans to participate. Other wireless carriers must opt-in for their subscribers to participate. Standard messaging rates apply.
