Clemens Named To Nancy Lieberman Award Preseason Watch List

Senior point guard is one of 20 nationally to be named to the watch list

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western Illinois senior point guard Emily Clemens was named to the Nancy Lieberman Award Preseason Watch List, as announced Monday (Nov. 6) by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Clemens is one of 20 names that are on the watch list for the award.

"There is no doubt in my mind that Emily deserves to be recognized as one of the top point guards in the nation," said head coach JD Gravina. "She fills the role of a traditional point guard who handles the ball and runs the team, but is also one of the best playmakers I've seen. It's so rare to find a player that can score the way she does, but can also create so many easy baskets for her teammates."

Clemens is coming off a season in which she helped lead the Leathernecks to their first NCAA Tournament berth in 22 seasons. She led the The Summit League in points (18.9), assists (7.3), steals (2.6) and free throws made (202), and was also named the Preseason Summit League Player of the Year for the upcoming 2017-18 season.

The Selection Committee for the Nancy Lieberman Award is composed of top women's college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers. By mid-February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2018 Lieberman Award will be narrowed to just 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to Ms. Lieberman and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. Fans will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite finalist at www.hoophallawards.com.

"The Basketball Hall of Fame is proud to annually present the Nancy Lieberman Award to the top female point guard in the college game," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. "This year, we're excited to announce the addition of four more positional awards. Like Ms. Lieberman, these student-athletes have worked tirelessly to achieve their goals and are very deserving of our recognition."

The winner of the 2018 Lieberman Award will be announced at an inaugural awards ceremony hosted by the Basketball Hall of Fame, Women's Basketball Coaches Association, and ESPN at the NCAA Women's Final Four in Columbus, Ohio. ESPN broadcast information will be released at a later date.

The Leathernecks open the season this Friday (Nov. 10) at 7:30 p.m. inside Western Hall against Kansas City. Opening tip is scheduled to be broadcasted live on ESPN3.

2018 Nancy Lieberman Award Candidates

Kennedy Leonard	Colorado
Kia Nurse	Connecticut
Lexie Brown	Duke
Tianna Tarter	East Tennessee State
Loren Cagle	Lipscomb
Sydni Means	Mercer
Katelynn Flaherty	Michigan
Kenisha Bell	Minnesota
Morgan William	Mississippi St.
Kelsey Mitchell	Ohio St.
Sabrina Ionescu	Oregon
Teniya Page	Penn St.
Jackie Kemph	Saint Louis
Bianca Cuevas-Moore	South Carolina
Jessica Kovatch	St. Francis (PA)
Brooke McCarty	Texas
Jordin Canada	UCLA
Chanette Hicks	Virginia Tech
Emily Clemens	Western Illinois
Deja Wimby	Western Michigan

*Players can play their way onto and off of the list at any point in the 2017-18 season*

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Players Mentioned

#2 Emily Clemens: G; 5' 4"; Junior; Muscatine

Players Mentioned

#2 Emily Clemens
: 5' 4"; Junior; Muscatine
: G

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Players Mentioned

#2 Emily Clemens

Players Mentioned

#2 Emily Clemens