Burke is the top returning scorer for the Bruins, averaging 10.6 points per game in 2017-18.
Burke Named to Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Watch List
October 23, 2018 | Women's Basketball
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Springfield, Mass. — Senior Kennedy Burke is one of 20 candidates for the 2019 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced on Tuesday morning. Named after the first player, male or female, named to the All-America Team in four straight college seasons, the annual award in its second year recognizes the top shooting guard in women's NCAA Division I college basketball.
"The Basketball Hall of Fame is proud to honor the best in the game – both men and women. The namesake of our women's Shooting Guard of the Year Award, Annie Meyers, dominated UCLA basketball surpassing records held by both men and women," 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, she has been a shining example of skill and character and we are so pleased to have her participation in the Naismith Starting 5."
Burke, the top returning scorer for the Bruins, averaged 10.6 points per game en route to being named Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 by both the coaches and the media. She shot over 43 percent from the floor and drilled 29 three's on the year. A native of Northridge, Calif., Burke also earned Honorable Mention Pac-12 All-Defensive Team honors in 2017-18.
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 2019 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 clicking here.
The winner of the 2019 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award will be revealed on an ESPN platform during the 2019 Women's Final Four in Tampa, Florida. Additional awards being presented and recognized at the WBCA Convention include the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard Award, the Cheryl Miller Small Forward Award, the Katrina McClain Power Forward Award, and the Lisa Leslie Center Award. Also being awarded is the Wade Trophy, the sport's oldest and most prestigious national player of the year award which is presented annually by the WBCA's community of coaches to the best player in college women's basketball.
Last season, Victoria Vivians of Mississippi State was named the inaugural winner of the Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year Award.
For more information on the 2019 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, click here.
2019 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Candidates
*Players can play their way onto and off of the list at any point in the 2018-19 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. In 2012, Meyers Drysdale became one of the first annual naming honorees on the women's side of the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) with the organization's National Women's Player of the Year. 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 Olympic Games in 1984, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016.
Springfield, Mass. — Senior Kennedy Burke is one of 20 candidates for the 2019 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced on Tuesday morning. Named after the first player, male or female, named to the All-America Team in four straight college seasons, the annual award in its second year recognizes the top shooting guard in women's NCAA Division I college basketball.
"The Basketball Hall of Fame is proud to honor the best in the game – both men and women. The namesake of our women's Shooting Guard of the Year Award, Annie Meyers, dominated UCLA basketball surpassing records held by both men and women," 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, she has been a shining example of skill and character and we are so pleased to have her participation in the Naismith Starting 5."
Burke, the top returning scorer for the Bruins, averaged 10.6 points per game en route to being named Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 by both the coaches and the media. She shot over 43 percent from the floor and drilled 29 three's on the year. A native of Northridge, Calif., Burke also earned Honorable Mention Pac-12 All-Defensive Team honors in 2017-18.
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 2019 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 clicking here.
The winner of the 2019 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award will be revealed on an ESPN platform during the 2019 Women's Final Four in Tampa, Florida. Additional awards being presented and recognized at the WBCA Convention include the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard Award, the Cheryl Miller Small Forward Award, the Katrina McClain Power Forward Award, and the Lisa Leslie Center Award. Also being awarded is the Wade Trophy, the sport's oldest and most prestigious national player of the year award which is presented annually by the WBCA's community of coaches to the best player in college women's basketball.
Last season, Victoria Vivians of Mississippi State was named the inaugural winner of the Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year Award.
For more information on the 2019 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, click here.
2019 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Candidates
| Chloe Jackson | Baylor |
| Darby Maggard | Belmont |
| Katie Lou Samuelson | Connecticut |
| Candice White | Fresno St. |
| Dionna White | Georgetown |
| Shakyla Hill | Grambling St. |
| Mikayla Ferenz | Idaho |
| Maci Morris | Kentucky |
| Asia Durr | Louisville |
| Allazia Blockton | Marquette |
| Destiny Pitts | Minnesota |
| Arike Ogunbowale | Notre Dame |
| Teniya Page | Penn St. |
| Jovana Nogic | Providence |
| Kitija Laksa | South Florida |
| Jessica Kovatch | St. Francis |
| Kiana Williams | Stanford |
| Kennedy Burke | UCLA |
| Aliyah Mazyck | USC |
| Amber Melgoza | Washington |
*Players can play their way onto and off of the list at any point in the 2018-19 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. In 2012, Meyers Drysdale became one of the first annual naming honorees on the women's side of the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) with the organization's National Women's Player of the Year. 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 Olympic Games in 1984, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016.
Players Mentioned
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