SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — She’s been a model of consistency, and now she’s being recognized for it.
On Thursday, Irish senior Maddy Westbeld was announced as a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame & Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Katrina McClain Award Top 10. Named after the two-time All-American and 1987 National Player of the Year, the annual award, in its seventh year, recognizes the top power forwards in women’s NCAA Division I college basketball.
Through 16 games, the 6-3 forward is posting her best statistic to date in one critical category — rebounds per game (9.5). She is posting 13.8 per contests, her highest mark since her freshman season (15.2). The rest of her stats this year are very similar to her freshman year stats when she was ACC Rookie of the Year.
“Maddy has been so solid this entire season but definitely on the road,” Karen and Kevin Keyes Family Head Coach Niele Ivey said after defeating Wake Forest. “She’s so physical in the paint and doing a great job of shooting from inside and out. Plus, she does a great job leading our team.”
Westbeld is averaging 13.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per contest in true road games. Her production doesn’t drop off away from Purcell.
Fans can support their favorite players in the remaining rounds by participating in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, starting Friday, January 26, on hoophallawards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process.