2022 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Preseason Watch List

25 players named to preseason watch list for the third-annual Becky Hammon Award presented by Her Hoop Stats

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Hopewell, N.J. (Oct. 20, 2021)—We are proud to announce the 25 members of the preseason watch list for the 2022 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award presented by Her Hoop Stats. The Becky Hammon Award was first given out in 2020, with South Dakota’s Ciara Duffy being named the inaugural winner. FGCU’s Kierstan Bell won the award in 2021. This year’s preseason watch list includes representatives from 22 schools and 13 conferences.

Below are the 25 members of the preseason watch list, listed in alphabetical order by school. All stats only include games against Division I opponents.

Dariauna Lewis, Alabama A&M, F, Sr.
2020-21 Stats: 17.8 PPG, 13.0 RPG, 0.9 SPG, 2.1 BPG

Named the Black College Sports Network Player of the Year for 2020-21, Lewis put up gaudy numbers for the second season in a row. Lewis was one of just two players in Division I to average 17.5 points and 13.0 rebounds for the season and is one of 23 players to do so since 2009-10. If all goes right, Lewis could be in 20-and-10 territory.

Destinee Wells, Belmont, G, So.
2020-21 Stats: 17.8 PPG, 4.6 APG, 2.4 SPG

In a season loaded with freshman talent, Belmont’s freshman guard Destinee Wells flew under the radar despite an excellent season. Wells racked up 7.5 Win Shares, which was tied with notable freshman Cameron Brink, and ahead of nationally hyped players like Aaliyah Edwards, Hailey Van Lith, and Diamond Johnson.

Lexi Fleming, Bowling Green, G, So.
2020-21 Stats: 15.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.5 APG, 2.5 SPG

Speaking of standout freshmen who deserve more hype, Lexi Fleming also ranked among national names like Brink, Edwards, Van Lith, and Johnson, racking up 7.0 Win Shares. Named the MAC Freshman of the Year, Fleming contributed to all facets of the game. Fleming’s turnover rate and steal rate were both in the top 4% nationally, contributing to Bowling Green being one of seven teams with a turnover rate below 16.5% and an opponent turnover rate over 22.5%.

Gabi Haack, Bradley, G, Sr.
2020-21 Stats: 16.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.8 SPG

Haack had an elite offensive season leading Bradley to an NCAA Tournament berth last season. The Bradley guard’s 1.25 points per scoring attempt ranked 62nd in the nation thanks to her proficiency from behind the arc, 39.6%, and a relatively high shooting two-point percentage for a guard (56.8%). That was paired with a strong tendency to get to the line, ranking in the top 7% of the nation in free throws made per game.

Dyaisha Fair, Buffalo, G, Jr.
2020-21 Stats: 24.1 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 5.1 APG, 2.9 SPG

After scoring at an almost unprecedented rate for a freshman in 2019-20, Fair actually improved her scoring in her sophomore year. This was partially thanks to a slight increase in attempts per game, but the bigger growth was in her scoring efficiency. Fair’s 0.80 Points per Scoring Attempt (PPSA) in 2019-20 improved to 0.87 last season after she got to the line more and converted free throws at a higher rate. Fair also averaged 1.6 more assists and 1.3 fewer turnovers per game.

Shaylee Gonzales, BYU, G, So.
2020-21 Stats: 17.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.6 APG, 2.4 SPG

As only a sophomore, Gonzales led BYU to an at-large NCAA Tournament bid in 2020-21, including an upset win over 6-seed Rutgers and a near upset of the national runner-up, Arizona, in the second round. Gonzales led the team in points, assists, and steals per game, and would be the driving force if the Cougars are able to surpass Gonzaga in the WCC. 

Caitlyn Harper, California Baptist, F, R-So.
2020-21 Stats: 14.3 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 1.1 BPG

Harper has always been an efficient shooter from inside the three-point line in parts of three seasons with Cal Baptist, including ranking 76th among qualified players in two-point shooting percentage at 58.5% last season. A new element of her game in 2020-21 was a strong three-point shot that brought her performance to another level.

Jasmine Dickey, Delaware, G/F, Sr.
2020-21 Stats: 22.3 PPG, 9.2 RPB, 2.4 SPG, 0.6 BPG

Dickey was one of the best volume scorers and rebounders in Division I last season. The junior guard ranked 15th in scoring average and 64th in rebounding average. Her 34.9% usage ranked 10th in the nation, and she posted that rate with a turnover rate that was in the top 3% nationally.

Grace Berg, Drake, F, R-Jr.
2020-21 Stats: 15.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.6 BPG

The 2020-21 MVC Newcomer of the Year, Berg made an immediate impact for Drake after sitting out the 2019-20 season due to transfer rules. Berg will likely have even more minutes in the rotation this season, and despite being a freshman in 2018-19 for Missouri, she still has two seasons of eligibility beyond 2021-22. Putting up the numbers she did as a sophomore, in such a strong conference, Berg could be what the Bulldogs need to keep pace with other elite programs in the Valley.

Kierstan Bell, FGCU, G, Jr.
2020-21 Stats: 24.0 PPG, 10.6 RPB, 2.7 APG, 2.0 SPG, 2.3 BPG

The reigning Becky Hammon Award winner, Bell led FGCU to one of its most successful seasons in program history. FGCU will not be sneaking up on anyone this season, and that is largely thanks to Bell’s excellent performance in her first year since transferring into the program. Bell was sixth in the nation in scoring average, with an unmatched combination of shooting from inside and outside the three-point line. Since 2009-10, only three other players have shot better than 67.5% from two and 34.5% from three on 100 or more attempts apiece.

TK Morehouse, FGCU, G, Sr.
2020-21 Stats: 17.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.5 SPG

Bell wasn’t the only player to make a big splash in their debut season with FGCU. Morehouse, a JUCO transfer from Western Nebraska Community College, converted on 57.9% of her two-point attempts. That’s a level that is practically unmatched for most guards, let alone a 5-foot-3 guard. Since 2009-10, nobody in Division I who is 5-foot-6 or shorter has ever shot better on two-pointers on 200 or more attempts. The third and fifth place seasons both belong to WNBA player Shey Peddy.

Haley Cavinder, Fresno St., G, Jr.
2020-21 Stats: 19.8 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.7 SPG

Cavinder ranked third or higher on the Bulldogs in scoring, rebounding, steals, and blocks as just a sophomore. Cavinder played without many mistakes, scoring and assisting at efficient rates while posting a turnover rate (11.9%) and personal foul rate (1.6%) that were both in the top 10 nationally. On the scoring front, Cavinder added a more reliable free-throw percentage to her game last year. This season, if she can elevate her shooting percentage from behind the arc to great instead of just good, the Mountain West will have an even harder time containing her.

Jenson Edwards, High Point, G, R-Jr.
2020-21 Stats: 14.3 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.9 APG, 0.4 BPG

Edwards led the Big South in Win Shares at 7.6, but got overlooked even within the conference, ending the season with conference second-team honors. Now, in her redshirt junior season, Edwards will have another chance to prove she’s the real deal, and with it should come more respect for High Point as a whole. The Panthers drew UConn in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament, despite holding an RPI (108th) and a Her Hoop Stats Rating (81st) of a team deserving a much better seed.

Macee Williams, IUPUI, F/C, Gr.
2020-21 Stats: 18.9 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.0 SPG

Williams returns to IUPUI for a fifth season, coming off of a year where she nearly averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds. Williams scored at a slightly higher clip compared to the previous season (18.9 points per game vs. 17.5 in 2019-20) despite shooting slightly less efficiently. Williams also increased her rebounding rate for the second-straight season, finishing with the 13th-highest rate in the country.

Ameshya Williams, Jackson St., C, Sr.
2020-21 Stats: 15.6 PPG, 12.2 RPB, 3.2 BPG

The former Mississippi State player is going into her third season with Jackson State where she has made a huge impact. Williams was named the 2021 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, which is no surprise if you look at some of her box scores. One game, in particular, stands out: January 4 on the road against Alabama State. Williams dropped 25 points on just 13 shots, pulled down 23 boards, and rejected seven shots. No other player has put up that line in the past 12 seasons.

Kiki Jefferson, James Madison, G, Jr.
2020-21 Stats: 16.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Jefferson led the Dukes in points and rebounds and was top-3 on the team in assists, steals, and blocks last season. Jefferson scored 29.4% of her points from the free-throw stripe last season, up from 20.5% in her freshman season. If Jefferson can keep up that improvement, and continue to find ways to pour it in from both inside and outside the arc, she could become one of the most dangerous scorers in the nation.

Akila Smith, Longwood, F, Sr.
2020-21 Stats: 15.7 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 2.0 SPG, 3.5 BPG

Ranking second in the Big South in Win Shares, Smith recorded just the fourth 15.0 point, 10.0 rebound, 3.0 block, 2.0 steal season nationally since 2009-10. The only other player to record such a line since 2015-16 was Oklahoma State’s Natasha Mack, also last season. On January 15 against Winthrop, Smith recorded a points-rebounds-blocks triple-double, throwing in four steals for good measure.

Megan Walstad, Milwaukee, F, R-So.
2020-21 Stats: 12.0 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 1.8 BPG

In her sophomore season with Milwaukee, Walsted put up steady numbers on the offensive and defensive end. Walstad was also a key contributor in Milwaukee setting the new Division I record for team free-throw shooting percentage. Walstad’s personal free-throw percentage of 89.6% was 43rd in the nation among qualified players. On the defensive end of the court, her 25.0% defensive rebounding rate ranked 53rd nationally and her 7.0% block rate was 111st in Division I.

Brice Calip, Missouri St., G, Sr.
2020-21 Stats: 13.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.1 APG, 2.1 SPG

Calip, one of the rare players who will be playing in their sixth year of eligibility, is a huge reason for Missouri State’s success on the biggest stages. Her calm and unselfish play fits perfectly into Missouri State’s system, allowing her to score at a good volume to complement her elite facilitation. Calip’s 2.68 assist-to-turnover ratio was 26th in the nation, and she wins extra possessions with her 3.4% steal rate which ranks 133rd in Division I.

Jasmine Franklin, Missouri St., F, Sr.
2020-21 Stats: 12.0 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1.2 APG, 2.3 SPG, 0.8 BPG

Franklin is an elite rebounder, ranking ninth in the country with a defensive rebounding rate of 30.3%. At the same time, Franklin’s 4.5% steal rate was the 25th-highest in the nation. Her block rate has been declining since her freshman year, but this is actually a positive. Her early dominance has scared opponents from challenging her in the paint.

Cece Hooks, Ohio, G, Sr.
2020-21 Stats: 25.1 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 4.0 APG, 3.8 SPG, 0.6 BPG

Hooks returns for a fifth season with Ohio after withdrawing from the 2021 WNBA Draft. Hooks put together one of the best seasons in program history, ranking third in the nation in scoring and in steals per game. Only one other player has averaged 25.0 points and 3.8 steals in more than 10 games played since 2009-10. No other players have done so while adding 6.5 or more rebounds per game, not to mention 4.0 or more assists per game.

Stephanie Visscher, Stephen F. Austin, G, Sr.
2020-21 Stats: 12.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.0 APG, 2.4 SPG, 1.2 BPG

Visscher’s stats may not pop off the page like some of the 20-point scorers on this list, but she has remarkable consistency and efficiency in her game. Visscher’s PPSA of 1.31 was 26th in the nation. Her steal and block rates are both in the top 10%, and she rarely ever fouls with just a 2.8% foul rate despite spending significant time at the top of a press. Her 8.1 Win Shares ranked 21st nationally last season.

Hannah Sjerven, South Dakota, C, R-Sr.
2020-21 Stats: 17.3 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.5 SPG, 2.1 BPG

No longer coming off the bench behind 2020 Hammon Award-winner Ciara Duffy, Sjerven made sure her name was known nationally in her redshirt junior season. The defensive anchor, and efficient scorer, of a very strong South Dakota team, Sjerven once again put together one of the most effective seasons in the nation. Her 0.50 WS/40 ranked fourth in the season, and her PER of 40.2 ranked only behind fellow watch list member Kierstan Bell en route to Hammon Award finalist honors.

Chloe Lamb, South Dakota, G, R-Sr.
2020-21 Stats: 16.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.8 SPG

Lamb joins her teammate Sjerven on this list after being the second-leading scorer for the Coyotes. Lamb can light it up from behind the arc, shooting 43.6% on 5.8 attempts per game. Lamb also converted efficiently from the line, shooting 85.0% on free throws.

Myah Selland, South Dakota St., F, R-Sr.
2020-21 Stats: 19.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.6 BPG

The third returning player from last season’s five finalists, Selland is looking to bounce back from the late-season injury that sidelined her for the final five games of the Jackrabbits’ season. Selland is an incredibly efficient scorer, posting a 1.22 PPSA last year, as well as a high-volume facilitator with a 30.8% assist rate.

Award Eligibility & Schedule

To be eligible for this award, players must compete in one of the 26 conferences deemed to be “mid-major.” The following conferences are considered high-major for the purposes of this award, and thus ineligible: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Pac-12, and SEC. In January, 15 players will be named to the midseason watch list. The 10 semifinalists will be announced in February, with five finalists being announced in early March. The winner will be announced in late March. The list is fluid and players may play their way on or off the list over the course of the season.

About Becky Hammon

Hammon was a three-time All-American during her career at Colorado State and led the Rams to the Sweet 16 in 1999, the program’s only appearance to date. She was signed by the New York Liberty in 1999 and traded to the San Antonio Stars in 2007, where she played the rest of her career.

Hammon retired in 2014 as a six-time All-Star and a two-time All-WNBA First Team honoree. In 2016 she was named one of the top 20 players in WNBA history and was recently named to the W25. Hammon became the second female coach in NBA history when she began coaching for the San Antonio Spurs in 2014. Additionally, Hammon is the only woman to be a head coach in the NBA Summer League as well as the only woman to be a member of an NBA All-Star coaching staff.

About Her Hoop Stats

Her Hoop Stats was founded in 2017 to unlock better insight about women's basketball at all levels. We began as a statistics site focused on providing consistent, reliable, and easy-to-access data about women's basketball for both mobile and desktop environments. Her Hoop Stats has expanded to become a leading independent voice in the women's game providing content through our newsletter, podcast, and social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).