Clark, Brick, and Staley win the 2024 Naismith Awards.

Thursday, April 4, 2024 – Cleveland, Ohio

As the NCAA Division 1 women’s basketball season ends this weekend in 2024, only one team will emerge as the champion. They will cut down the net and hoist the prestigious trophy. South Carolina, Iowa, UConn, and NC State vied for the title. But before we go that far, awards and recognition are usually given out every season to those outstanding players and coaches for their exceptional contributions to the game or performances on and off the court. Among those prestigious awards are the 2024 Naismith Awards. The awards were given to the Offensive Player, Defensive Player, and Coach of the Year earlier this week.

Cameron Brink, Defensive Player Of The Year 2024 Naismith Award.

One of the standout winners was Cameron Brink of Stanford, who took home the Defensive Player of the Year award. Brink’s dedication to shutting down opponents and giving her team the best chance to succeed was evident throughout the season. The senior forward, 6’4″, recently declared for the WNBA Draft. During her collegiate career, she averaged 14 points, 3.1 Blocks, and 9.1 rebounds per game and helped lead the Cardinal to a title in 2021. This year was her best; she averaged 17.4 points, 3.5 blocks, and 11.9 rebounds per game.

Caitlyn Clark, Player Of The Year.

Another standout was Caitlyn Clark of Iowa, named the National Player of the Year for the second consecutive year. Clark’s exceptional skills and leadership on the court have made her a force to be reckoned with in women’s basketball. This season, Clark also passed Pete Maravich, who had 3667 points, to become the all-time NCAA Division 1 women’s or men’s basketball career scoring leader with 3900 points, averaging 28.5. Additionally, she has led Iowa to three consecutive Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament conference titles.

Dawn Staley, Coach Of The Year.

Dawn Staley, the head coach of South Carolina, also received recognition for her outstanding coaching abilities, picking up her fourth Coach of the Year award. Staley, who also won two Player of the Year awards during her collegiate years at Virginia, attributed her success to her dedicated staff members and players committed to facing challenges head-on.
“We find a way to make beautiful music together by putting together a great staff who are dedicated to the vision and passion, and players who are dedicated and committed,” said Coach Staley.

Coach Staley has been with South Carolina for 16 seasons, leading the team to two titles, consecutive undefeated seasons, and four straight final four appearances.

Team Effort.

Beyond Clark, Brick, and Staley’s incredible achievements and record-breaking performance, it is vital to acknowledge the contributions of other players and coaches in the NCAA. Every team and individual has their unique strengths and talents, and it takes a collective effort to achieve success. Additionally, countless other talented players and coaches in the NCAA may have different levels of recognition or accolades but still play an essential role in the sport. It is also critical to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of all those involved in the NCAA, not just the most well-known players and coaches.

These exceptional women in basketball have shown that hard work, dedication, and a love for the game can lead to great success on and off the court. Congratulations to all the 2024 NCAA Division 1 women’s basketball awards winners!

Coach Staley from the University of South Carolina and Caitlyn Clark from the University of Iowa have expressed their gratitude for the honors they have received. However, they both emphasized that their ultimate goal is to win a national title. They also acknowledged that their achievements were only possible with the support of their staff, coaches, and teammates.

Picture Credit Naismith Awards

Sports Journalist/Writer Okon Ekpenyong