J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center | NC State Wolfpack
J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center | NC State Wolfpack
Aziaha James and Saniya Rivers have been named to the 2024-25 John R. Wooden Award Top 50 Preseason Watch List. This is Rivers' second appearance on this list, having been included in both the top 25 and 50 lists last season. For James, it marks her first time on the watch list.
Rivers completed her junior year with averages of 12.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.1 steals, and 0.9 blocks over an average of 35.2 minutes per game. She was recognized as an All-ACC First Team member and was also selected for the All-Defensive Team and received an AP All-America Honorable Mention. She led her team in several categories including steals and defensive rebounds per game (5.5), as well as minutes per game. Rivers recorded significant performances throughout the season with multiple double-digit scoring games, including five games scoring over 20 points, one game with over 30 points, three double-doubles, and fourteen games with more than five assists.
James led her team in scoring last year with an average of 16.8 points per game along with averages of 4.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists in about 31.8 minutes per game. Her scoring average increased by ten points from the previous season, which was noted as the highest increase among ACC players last year (from 6.8 PPG to 16.8 PPG). During the NCAA Tournament Final Four run, she averaged impressive figures of 23.4 points and 3.2 assists per game and was named Portland Regional Most Outstanding Player as well as part of the All-Tournament Team.
Both Rivers and James were also selected for the ACC Preseason Team and are on the Jersey Mike's Naismith Women's Player of the Year Watch List Presented by Axia Time.
The players listed in the top 50 are considered strong contenders for the John R.Wooden Award Women's Player of the Year for this season. Those not chosen for this preseason list still have a chance to be included in subsequent lists leading up to the National Ballot consisting of fifteen players.
The Wooden Award All-American Team will be announced during NCAA Tournament Elite Eight week, with the award winner being presented at Los Angeles Athletic Club on April 11, 2025.
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