Burke Named to Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Watch List

Junior guard Kennedy Burke is the third-leading scorer returning from a year ago (12.2 ppg).

Photo by: Don Liebig, UCLA Photography

Burke Named to Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Watch List

November 07, 2017 | Women's Basketball

The junior guard was named to the top 20 preseason watch list for top female shooting guard.

SOCIAL MEDIA: WBB on Twitter | WBB on Facebook | WBB on Instagram

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the 20 watch list candidates for the 2018 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award and UCLA junior guard Kennedy Burke has made the list. Named after the first player, male or female, named to the All-America Team in four straight college seasons, the annual award in its inaugural year recognizes the top shooting guard in women's NCAA Division I college basketball.

"Ann Meyers dominated the basketball court as a standout for UCLA, surpassing records held by both men and women at the basketball powerhouse university," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. "Recognized as the only woman to sign a contract with an NBA team, Ann has been a shining example of character and skill and we are so pleased to announce this award bearing her name."

The Selection Committee for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award is composed of top women's college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers. By mid-February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2018 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award will be narrowed to just 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to Ms. Drysdale and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. Fans will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite finalist by by clicking here.

The winner of the 2018 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award will be announced at an inaugural awards ceremony hosted by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Women's Basketball Coaches Association, and ESPN at the NCAA Women's Final Four in Columbus, Ohio. ESPN broadcast information will be released at a later date.

"It is an honor to be associated with this award identifying the best in the collegiate game today," said Ann Meyers Drysdale, a 1993 inductee of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. "The shooting guards on this list have worked tirelessly to earn a spot on this esteemed watch list and it's nice to see the Basketball Hall of Fame recognize them for their efforts."

For more information on the 2018 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, click here.

2018 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Candidates

Darby Maggard	Belmont
Katie Lou Samuelson	Connecticut
Ashton Millender	DePaul
Rebecca Greenwell	Duke
Asia Durr	Louisville
Chloe Jackson	LSU
Natisha Hiedeman	Marquette
Allazia Blockton	Marquette
Kaila Charles	Maryland
Victoria Vivians	Mississippi State
Arike Ogunbowale	Notre Dame
Lexi Bando	Oregon
Jovana Nogic	Providence
Jaycee Bradley	South Dakota
Kitija Laksa	South Florida
Akina Wellere	St. John's
Brittany McPhee	Stanford
Dannie Williams	Texas A&M
Kennedy Burke	UCLA
Tynice Martin	West Virginia

*Players can play their way onto and off of the list at any point in the 2017-18 season*

About Ann Meyers Drysdale: Ann Meyers Drysdale's career escalated women's basketball to a new level. She was the first high school player to make the United States national team and the first woman to receive a full four-year athletic scholarship to UCLA. Her high-octane approach translated into wins and awards and she finished her impressive career at UCLA owning 12 of 13 school records including becoming the first player to record a quadruple double in UCLA history. A supremely talented all-around player with natural basketball ability and instincts, Meyers Drysdale was the first player, male or female, named to an All-America team in four straight seasons and was named Player of the Year during her senior year. While still at UCLA, she started on the first women's Olympic team in 1976. After an All-America career, she became the first player drafted into the Women's Basketball League and made history by becoming the first female player to tryout with an NBA team, the Indiana Pacers, with whom she signed a free agent contract. Meyers Drysdale pushed the envelope in women's basketball, bringing a feel and sense for the game that few players ever exhibited. Since retiring from professional play, she has had a very successful career as an NBA and WNBA executive, as well as a color commentator for the NBA, WNBA and the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games.

About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was invented, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the game of basketball at every level – professional, collegiate and high school, for both men and women on the global stage.