Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Carter Named Katrina McClain Award Finalist
February 04, 2021 | Women's Basketball
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Among the nation's top post players, Mississippi State's Jessika Carter earned a spot as a finalist for the 2021 Katrina McClain Award, which is given to the nation's top power forward, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced Thursday.
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Named after the two-time All-American and 1987 National Player of the Year, the annual award in its fourth year recognizes the top power forwards in women's NCAA Division I college basketball. To be considered for this prestigious award, candidates must exhibit the passion, and mental and physical strength of Class of 2012 Hall of Famer Katrina McClain.
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Carter leads the Bulldogs in rebounding (9.2 rpg) and blocks (1.5 bpg) this season, while ranking second in scoring (15.3 ppg). During SEC play, she is averaging a double-double during SEC play with 13.6 points and 10.0 rebounds per game.
The Waverly Hall, Ga., native has posted six double-doubles this year, which stands as the seventh most in the SEC and ranks 34th in the country. For her career, Carter ranks third in career field goal percentage (.552), fourth in career blocks per game (1.5) and fifth in total blocks (112) in Mississippi State history. She boasts 17 careers doubles and eight 20-point games.
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In State's win at Florida, Carter went off with 25 points, 16 rebounds, two blocks and one assist. Earlier in the year, she recorded a career high in scoring with 29 points on 12-of-16 shooting to go along with 15 rebounds, three blocks and two steals against Central Arkansas.
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In March, five finalists will be presented to Ms. McClain-Pittman and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The Selection Committee for the Katrina McClain Award is composed of top women's college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers.
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The winner of the 2021 Katrina McClain Power Forward Award will be presented April 9, 2021, along with the four other members of the Women's Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard Award, the Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard Award, the Cheryl Miller Small Forward Award and the Lisa Leslie Center Award, in addition to the Men's Starting Five. College basketball fans can support their favorite players by participating in Fan Voting presented by Dell Technologies.
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2021 Katrina McClain Award Candidates
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*Players can play their way onto and off of the list at any point in the 2020-21 season
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For the most up-to-date information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU women's basketball on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateWBK."
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Named after the two-time All-American and 1987 National Player of the Year, the annual award in its fourth year recognizes the top power forwards in women's NCAA Division I college basketball. To be considered for this prestigious award, candidates must exhibit the passion, and mental and physical strength of Class of 2012 Hall of Famer Katrina McClain.
Â
Carter leads the Bulldogs in rebounding (9.2 rpg) and blocks (1.5 bpg) this season, while ranking second in scoring (15.3 ppg). During SEC play, she is averaging a double-double during SEC play with 13.6 points and 10.0 rebounds per game.
The Waverly Hall, Ga., native has posted six double-doubles this year, which stands as the seventh most in the SEC and ranks 34th in the country. For her career, Carter ranks third in career field goal percentage (.552), fourth in career blocks per game (1.5) and fifth in total blocks (112) in Mississippi State history. She boasts 17 careers doubles and eight 20-point games.
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In State's win at Florida, Carter went off with 25 points, 16 rebounds, two blocks and one assist. Earlier in the year, she recorded a career high in scoring with 29 points on 12-of-16 shooting to go along with 15 rebounds, three blocks and two steals against Central Arkansas.
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In March, five finalists will be presented to Ms. McClain-Pittman and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The Selection Committee for the Katrina McClain Award is composed of top women's college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers.
Â
The winner of the 2021 Katrina McClain Power Forward Award will be presented April 9, 2021, along with the four other members of the Women's Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard Award, the Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard Award, the Cheryl Miller Small Forward Award and the Lisa Leslie Center Award, in addition to the Men's Starting Five. College basketball fans can support their favorite players by participating in Fan Voting presented by Dell Technologies.
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2021 Katrina McClain Award Candidates
| Jasmine Walker | Alabama |
| Unique Thompson | Auburn |
| NaLyssa Smith | Baylor |
| Naz Hillmon | Michigan |
| Jessika Carter | Mississippi State |
| Natasha Mack | Oklahoma State |
| Francesca Belibi | Stanford |
| N'dea Jones | Texas A&M |
| Chelsey Perry | UT Martin |
| Maddy Siegrist | Villanova |
*Players can play their way onto and off of the list at any point in the 2020-21 season
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For the most up-to-date information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU women's basketball on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateWBK."
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Players Mentioned
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