Onyenwere Named Semifinalist for Naismith Trophy

Atlanta, Ga. – UCLA senior forward Michaela Onyenwere has been named a top-11 semifinalist for the Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Tuesday. The award is presented annually to the collegiate player of the year.
 
The Aurora, Colo., native has put together an impressive senior campaign, moving into ninth place on UCLA's all-time scoring list with 1,776 points. She is currently third in the Pac-12 with 19.4 points per game and has notched a pair of 30-point performances this season, including a 30-point effort on Senior Night against USC (Feb. 26) that saw her go 6-for-6 from beyond the arc. She also notched a career-high 33 points in the Bruins' win over previously unbeaten Oregon, helping to snap the Ducks' 27-game winning-streak. She's also third in the Conference in rebounding at 8.0 rpg and is the only player in the Pac-12 among the league's top five scorers and rebounders. Onyenwere has helped the Bruins compile a 14-4 record and a current No. 9 national ranking ahead of the Pac-12 Tournament. She earned All-Pac-12 honors for the third-straight season earlier this week.
 
Onyenwere joins Arizona's Aari McDonald as representatives of the Pac-12 on the semifinalist list. The Pac-12 is tied with the ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12 with two award candidates.
 
Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Semifinalists
Aliyah Boston, South Carolina
Paige Bueckers, UConn
Caitlyn Clark, Iowa
Charli Collier, Texas
Elissa Cunane, North Carolina State
Dana Evans, Louisville
Naz Hillmon, Michigan
Rhyne Howard, Kentucky
Aari McDonald, Arizona
Michaela Onyenwere, UCLA
NaLyssa Smith, Baylor