Mangakahia Named Top-5 Finalist for Nancy Lieberman Award
3/1/2021 3:45:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Tiana Mangakahia has been named a top-5 finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award which recognizes the nation's top point guard. This marks the second time in Mangakahia's career she has been a top-5 finalist. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced the top-five finalists which also include Aari McDonald (Arizona), Didi Richards (Baylor), Paige Bueckers (UConn) and Caitlin Clark (Iowa).Â
Mangakahia leads the nation in assists (7.5 apg) and is adding 11.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game in 18 appearances this season. The Brisbane, Australia native is shooting 42.7 percent from the field, 34.6 percent from three-point range and is successful 84.2 percent of the time at the charity stripe.Â
In previous seasons Mangakahia was a top-10 finalist (2018) and top-5 finalist (2019) before missing the entire 2019-20 season while going through treatment for Stage 2, Grade 3 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (breast cancer).Â
"This season has presented unimaginable challenges, but the point guards on this list have done a phenomenal job of leading their teams," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. "Nancy Lieberman has proven to be a talented player, coach, talent evaluator and trailblazer of the game and we're grateful to have her perspective as we evaluate this year's finalists."
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A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 student-athletes in November, which was narrowed to 10 candidates in February and now just five finalists. This month, the finalists will be presented Ms. Lieberman and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The winner of the 2021 Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year Award will be determined by a combination of fan votes and input from the Basketball Hall of Fame's selection committee. Naismith Starting Five Fan Voting presented by Dell Technologies will go live on Friday, March 5 on hoophallawards.com.
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"For more than 20 years I've had the privilege of presenting an award bearing my name to the best point guards in the collegiate game," said Nancy Lieberman, Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 1996. "The list of student athletes who have been honored is truly remarkable and the young women who have been named as finalists should be so proud."
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The winner of the 2021 Lieberman Award will be presented on ESPN, along with the other four members of the Women's Starting Five. 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, in addition to the Men's Starting Five. Additional information about the award presentation, including date and time, will be released in the coming weeks.
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Mangakahia leads the nation in assists (7.5 apg) and is adding 11.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game in 18 appearances this season. The Brisbane, Australia native is shooting 42.7 percent from the field, 34.6 percent from three-point range and is successful 84.2 percent of the time at the charity stripe.Â
In previous seasons Mangakahia was a top-10 finalist (2018) and top-5 finalist (2019) before missing the entire 2019-20 season while going through treatment for Stage 2, Grade 3 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (breast cancer).Â
"This season has presented unimaginable challenges, but the point guards on this list have done a phenomenal job of leading their teams," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. "Nancy Lieberman has proven to be a talented player, coach, talent evaluator and trailblazer of the game and we're grateful to have her perspective as we evaluate this year's finalists."
Â
A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 student-athletes in November, which was narrowed to 10 candidates in February and now just five finalists. This month, the finalists will be presented Ms. Lieberman and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The winner of the 2021 Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year Award will be determined by a combination of fan votes and input from the Basketball Hall of Fame's selection committee. Naismith Starting Five Fan Voting presented by Dell Technologies will go live on Friday, March 5 on hoophallawards.com.
Â
"For more than 20 years I've had the privilege of presenting an award bearing my name to the best point guards in the collegiate game," said Nancy Lieberman, Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 1996. "The list of student athletes who have been honored is truly remarkable and the young women who have been named as finalists should be so proud."
Â
The winner of the 2021 Lieberman Award will be presented on ESPN, along with the other four members of the Women's Starting Five. 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, in addition to the Men's Starting Five. Additional information about the award presentation, including date and time, will be released in the coming weeks.
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Players Mentioned
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