Phelia Named to Ann Meyers-Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year Preseason Top 20
10/28/2025 1:07:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Syracuse women's basketball senior guard Laila Phelia has been named to the Ann Meyers-Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year Preseason Top 20 Watchlist, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced today. The prestigious award, one of the five Naismith Starting 5 awards offered, honors the best shooting guard in women's college basketball.
Phelia joins an elite field of 20 nominees representing some of the nation's top programs, including UConn's Azzi Fudd, LSU's Flau'Jae Johnson, South Carolina's Ta'Niya Latson, and Maryland's Kaylene Smikle.
The 6-foot guard from Cincinnati, Ohio, transferred to Syracuse prior to the 2025-26 season after an impressive start to her career at Michigan and Texas. A four-star prospect ranked No. 28 nationally by ESPN, Phelia made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2021-22 for the Wolverines, averaging 8.8 points per game while helping Michigan reach the program's first Elite Eight.
Her sophomore and junior seasons established her as one of the premier guards in the Big Ten Conference. In 2022-23, she averaged 16.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, earning All-Big Ten Second Team honors. She followed with a stellar junior campaign in 2023-24, averaging 16.8 points per game and earning All-Big Ten First Team recognition. During her time at Michigan, Phelia helped the Wolverines reach the NCAA in all three seasons.
Following her junior season, Phelia transferred to Texas for the 2024-25 campaign. Her season was cut short due to eye surgery. She was granted a medical redshirt, preserving her final year of eligibility. Now fully recovered, Phelia serves as one of three team captains for Syracuse alongside Sophie Burrows and Dominique Darius.
Phelia finished her high school career at Mount Notre Dame on a 72-game winning streak and helped the Cougars capture two state championships. She has been part of two NCAA Elite Eight teams and represented the United States at the 2023 FIBA Women's AmeriCup, helping Team USA capture a silver medal.
The Ann Meyers-Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year Award is presented annually by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame to the top shooting guard in NCAA Division I women's college basketball. Named after Basketball Hall of Famer Ann Meyers Drysdale, the award is part of the Naismith Starting 5, which recognizes the best players at each position in women's college basketball.
Syracuse opens its 2025-26 season on Nov. 4, against Stony Brook at the JMA Wireless Dome. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
Tickets are on sale now at cuse.com/tickets or can be purchased by calling the JMA Wireless Dome Box Office at 888-DOME-TIX.
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Phelia joins an elite field of 20 nominees representing some of the nation's top programs, including UConn's Azzi Fudd, LSU's Flau'Jae Johnson, South Carolina's Ta'Niya Latson, and Maryland's Kaylene Smikle.
The 6-foot guard from Cincinnati, Ohio, transferred to Syracuse prior to the 2025-26 season after an impressive start to her career at Michigan and Texas. A four-star prospect ranked No. 28 nationally by ESPN, Phelia made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2021-22 for the Wolverines, averaging 8.8 points per game while helping Michigan reach the program's first Elite Eight.
Her sophomore and junior seasons established her as one of the premier guards in the Big Ten Conference. In 2022-23, she averaged 16.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, earning All-Big Ten Second Team honors. She followed with a stellar junior campaign in 2023-24, averaging 16.8 points per game and earning All-Big Ten First Team recognition. During her time at Michigan, Phelia helped the Wolverines reach the NCAA in all three seasons.
Following her junior season, Phelia transferred to Texas for the 2024-25 campaign. Her season was cut short due to eye surgery. She was granted a medical redshirt, preserving her final year of eligibility. Now fully recovered, Phelia serves as one of three team captains for Syracuse alongside Sophie Burrows and Dominique Darius.
Phelia finished her high school career at Mount Notre Dame on a 72-game winning streak and helped the Cougars capture two state championships. She has been part of two NCAA Elite Eight teams and represented the United States at the 2023 FIBA Women's AmeriCup, helping Team USA capture a silver medal.
The Ann Meyers-Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year Award is presented annually by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame to the top shooting guard in NCAA Division I women's college basketball. Named after Basketball Hall of Famer Ann Meyers Drysdale, the award is part of the Naismith Starting 5, which recognizes the best players at each position in women's college basketball.
Syracuse opens its 2025-26 season on Nov. 4, against Stony Brook at the JMA Wireless Dome. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
Tickets are on sale now at cuse.com/tickets or can be purchased by calling the JMA Wireless Dome Box Office at 888-DOME-TIX.
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