Penna Named to Cheryl Miller Award Watch List
10/24/2018 1:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The award is presented annually to the top small forward in the country
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Wake Forest senior Elisa Penna has been named a candidate for the 2019 Cheryl Miller Award, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced Wednesday (Oct. 24). Named after the three-time Naismith Player of the Year and Class of 1995 Hall of Famer, the annual award in its second year recognizes the top small forwards in women's NCAA Division I college basketball.
"At USC, Cheryl Miller dominated, winning two NCAA Championships and cementing herself among the game's all-time greats," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. "The women recognized on this watch list should feel honored and we're thankful to have Cheryl's input and expertise as we select our Naismith Starting 5 this season."
The Selection Committee for the Cheryl Miller 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 Cheryl Miller Award will be narrowed to just 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to Ms. Miller and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. Fans will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite finalist at www.hoophallawards.com. Last season, Gabby Williams of Connecticut was named the inaugural winner of the Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Award.
Penna is one of six players from the ACC on the 20-player watch list, joining Leaonna Odom (Duke), Francesca Pan (Georgia Tech), Jackie Young (Notre Dame), Miranda Drummond (Syracuse) and Jocelyn Willoughby (Virginia)
A native of Bergamo, Italy, Penna enters her senior season 25th on Wake Forest's all-time scoring list with 1,040 points. Last year, Penna was named All-ACC Second Team, becoming the first Deac since Dearica Hamby in 2015 to garner All-ACC honors. Leading into the 2018-19 season, Penna was tabbed Preseason All-ACC by the league's coaches and media.
Penna finished the year ninth in the league in scoring (15.8) and free throw percentage (81.6). The senior had a career game against NC State on Feb. 18, finishing with a career-high 34 points and a career-best nine made three-pointers. The nine made triples tied a program record and tied for the most in the ACC last season while the 34-point effort were the most by a Demon Deacon since Hamby scored 36 in 2015.
Wake Forest opens the regular season on Tuesday, November 6, at home against Towson at 7 p.m.
2019 Cheryl Miller Award Candidates
*Players can play their way onto and off of the list at any point in the 2018-19 season*
"At USC, Cheryl Miller dominated, winning two NCAA Championships and cementing herself among the game's all-time greats," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. "The women recognized on this watch list should feel honored and we're thankful to have Cheryl's input and expertise as we select our Naismith Starting 5 this season."
The Selection Committee for the Cheryl Miller 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 Cheryl Miller Award will be narrowed to just 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to Ms. Miller and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. Fans will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite finalist at www.hoophallawards.com. Last season, Gabby Williams of Connecticut was named the inaugural winner of the Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Award.
Penna is one of six players from the ACC on the 20-player watch list, joining Leaonna Odom (Duke), Francesca Pan (Georgia Tech), Jackie Young (Notre Dame), Miranda Drummond (Syracuse) and Jocelyn Willoughby (Virginia)
A native of Bergamo, Italy, Penna enters her senior season 25th on Wake Forest's all-time scoring list with 1,040 points. Last year, Penna was named All-ACC Second Team, becoming the first Deac since Dearica Hamby in 2015 to garner All-ACC honors. Leading into the 2018-19 season, Penna was tabbed Preseason All-ACC by the league's coaches and media.
Penna finished the year ninth in the league in scoring (15.8) and free throw percentage (81.6). The senior had a career game against NC State on Feb. 18, finishing with a career-high 34 points and a career-best nine made three-pointers. The nine made triples tied a program record and tied for the most in the ACC last season while the 34-point effort were the most by a Demon Deacon since Hamby scored 36 in 2015.
Wake Forest opens the regular season on Tuesday, November 6, at home against Towson at 7 p.m.
2019 Cheryl Miller Award Candidates
| Mart'e Grays | DePaul |
| Leaonna Odom | Duke |
| Francesca Pan | Georgia Tech |
| Bridget Carleton | Iowa St |
| Erika Davenport | Marquette |
| Kaila Charles | Maryland |
| Sophie Cunningham | Missouri |
| Lexi Klabo | North Dakota |
| Courtney Woods | Northern Illinois |
| Jackie Young | Notre Dame |
| Satou Sabally | Oregon |
| Katie McWilliams | Oregon St. |
| Miranda Drummond | Syracuse |
| Rennia Davis | Tennessee |
| Tia Wooten | Tennessee St. |
| Joyner Holmes | Texas |
| Jocelyn Willoughby | Virginia |
| Elisa Penna | Wake Forest |
| Borislava Hristova | Washington St. |
| Naomi Davenport | West Virginia |
*Players can play their way onto and off of the list at any point in the 2018-19 season*
Players Mentioned
Forward
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