Lambert Selected to Nancy Lieberman Watch List

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke University redshirt junior Kyra Lambert has been named one of 20 watch list candidates for the 2019 Nancy Lieberman Award, as announced Monday by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA).

Now in its 20th year, the award recognizes the top point guard in women's NCAA Division I college basketball. To be considered to this prestigious award, candidates exhibit the floor leadership, play-making and ball-handling skills of Class of 1996 Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman.

“As part of the Naismith Starting 5, the Basketball Hall of Fame is proud to annually present an award bearing the name of a trailblazing athlete and even better person – Nancy Lieberman,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “Like Ms. Lieberman, these student-athletes have worked tirelessly and are very deserving of our recognition that comes with being named to this elite list of prospective award winners.”

Along with Lambert on the 2019 watch list include Laia Raventos (Charlotte), Kennedy Leonard (Colorado), Crystal Dangerfield (UConn), Kelly Campbell (DePaul), Taja Cole (Georgia), Kayla Goth (Kansas State), Channise Lewis (Maryland), Kenisha Bell (Minnesota), Paris Kea (UNC), Marina Mabrey (Notre Dame), Chastadie Barrs (Lamar), Carmen Grande (Ohio State), Sabrina Ionescu (Oregon), Destiny Slocum (Oregon State), Jessica Kovatch (Saint Francis), Tyasha Harris (South Carolina), Tiana Mangakahia (Syracuse), Evina Westbrook (Tennessee) and Chennedy Carter (Texas A&M).

The Selection Committee for the Nancy Lieberman 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 Lieberman Award will be narrowed to just 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to Ms. Lieberman and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. Fans will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite finalist at www.hoophallawards.com.

Lambert, who hails from Cibolo, Texas, had started 56-of-65 games over her first two seasons, prior to suffering a torn ACL in the opening round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament. The 5-9 guard was sidelined for the 2017-18 campaign as she recovered from the injury. Lambert owns career averages of 7.0 points, 3.0 assists and 1.4 steals over two seasons.

The winner of the 2019 Lieberman Award will be announced in April in Tampa, Fla., in conjunction with the NCAA Women's Final Four and WBCA Convention. Additional awards being presented include the Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard Award, the Cheryl Miller Small Forward Award, the Katrina McClain Power Forward Award and the Lisa Leslie Center Award, as well as 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. Broadcast information will be released by ESPN at a later date.

Previous winners of the Nancy Lieberman Award include Sabrina Ionescu, Oregon (2018), Kelsey Plum, Washington (2017), Moriah Jefferson, Connecticut (2015-16), Odyssey Sims, Baylor (2014), Skylar Diggins, Notre Dame (2012-13), Courtney Vandersloot, Gonzaga (2011), Andrea Riley, Oklahoma State (2010), Renee Montgomery, Connecticut (2009), Kristi Toliver, Maryland (2008), Lindsey Harding, Duke (2007), Ivory Latta, North Carolina (2006), Temeka Johnson, LSU (2005), Diana Taurasi, Connecticut (2003-04), and Sue Bird, Connecticut (2000-02).

For more information and the latest updates on the 2019 Nancy Lieberman Award, log onto www.hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophall and #LiebermanAward on Twitter and Instagram.

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Lambert Selected to Nancy Lieberman Watch List

Players Mentioned

Kyra Lambert

Duke information

Lambert Selected to Nancy Lieberman Watch List

Players Mentioned

Kyra Lambert

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Duke information