On Friday, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame named the preseason watch list for the annual Lisa Leslie Award. Since its inception in 2018, this award has been presented annually to the top center in the country.
Heading into her second season with the UNC women's basketball program, Maria Gakdeng has earned a spot on the Lisa Leslie Award Preseason Watch List for the second consecutive season.
Oh My Maria!
— Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) November 1, 2024
Time for year 2⃣ in Carolina blue.@Hoophall | #InPursuit pic.twitter.com/JTCEO6minv
Gakdeng appeared in all 33 games for the UNC women's basketball program last season, making 32 starts in her first year on campus. She shot 62.6% from the field for an average of 9.2 points per game and grabbed 5.9 rebounds per contest.
Lisa Leslie Award Preseason Watch List
Maria Gakdeng- North Carolina
Rayah Marshall- USC
Alexis Markowski- Nebraska
Anastasiia Boldyreva- Middle Tennessee
Ayoka Lee- Kansas State
Lauren Betts- UCLA
Raegan Beers- Oklahoma
Taylor Jones- Texas
Lauren Ware- Texas A&M
Audi Crooks- Iowa State
Liz Scott- Oklahoma
Sedona Prince- TCU
Katelyn Young- Murray State
Aaronette Vonleh- Baylor
Sakima Walker- South Carolina
Allyson Fertig- Wyoming
Kennedi Jackson- Boston College
Nyla Harris- Louisville
Tommisha Lampkin- North Texas
Brooklyn Meyer- South Dakota State
An elite shot blocker, Gakdeng swatted away 51 shots, putting her just 18 blocked shots away from 200 for her college career. Based on what we saw a season ago, it wouldn't surprise anyone to see Gakdeng put up even bigger numbers all around this upcoming season.
The Lisa Leslie Award Watch List will be narrowed down to 10 student-athletes in late January, with the final five being announced in March.
Gakdeng and the UNC women's basketball program begin the 2024-2025 season on Monday, November 4, with an 11:00 AM clash against non-conference foe Charleston Southern.