Latest news with #MEACPlayeroftheYear
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
HBCU in shock as Norfolk State star goes undrafted in 2025 WNBA Draft
It was supposed to be a celebration. Instead, it became a stunning silence. Diamond Johnson, the Norfolk State star who lit up the MEAC with her scoring, defense, and leadership, watched the 2025 WNBA Draft come and go without hearing her name. For many HBCU fans and supporters of women's college basketball, the omission is as baffling as it is disappointing. Advertisement Johnson ended her college career with eye-popping numbers: 19.2 points, 4.3 assists, and a MEAC-best 3.6 steals per game. She earned MEAC Player of the Year honors and was named to the All-Defensive Team. The Spartans went undefeated in conference play under her leadership, and she delivered marquee wins in non-conference action. In April, she capped her season by winning MVP of the Libby's All-Star Game with 21 points—including the game-winner—right in front of WNBA scouts. Many analysts projected Johnson as a third-round pick. Yet as teams selected players from power conferences and overseas programs, Johnson remained unclaimed. Guards with less production and less proven leadership were taken instead. The glaring absence raises questions about how mid-major and HBCU stars are evaluated at the next level. Regardless of draft night, Johnson's legacy is untouchable. She stands alone as the only active Division I player with over 2,000 points, 600 rebounds, 390 assists, and 300 steals. She's already left her mark in college hoops history—and she's just getting started. Related: HBCU star earns Baltimore Ravens Pro Day invite Johnson has options: training camps, international leagues, and potentially a call-up as WNBA rosters shift mid-season. But the bigger message here is one HBCU fans know all too well—talent doesn't always get its due. It's time for the WNBA to broaden its lens. Advertisement Related: Morgan Price makes history as a repeat champion Because players like Diamond Johnson shouldn't have to fight this hard just to be seen. Related: Charlie Ward emerges as top candidate for FAMU basketball head coach opening Related: Stephen A. Smith: 'I have no choice' but to consider presidential bid
Miami Herald
17-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU standout headed to Big Ten, after stellar run at Howard
Destiny Howell, one of the top scorers in HBCU women's basketball, is heading to the Big Ten. The former Howard University star guard has officially transferred to the University of Wisconsin, taking her experience, leadership, and scoring ability to a new stage. Her move highlights the growing pipeline of HBCU athletes making their mark in Power Five conferences. Before her injury, Howell had already made a name for herself as one of the best players in the MEAC. During the 2022–23 season, she earned MEAC Player of the Year honors, led the conference in scoring at 16.8 points per game, and was one of the most consistent three-point shooters in the country. Her performance helped power Howard to postseason contention and raised the national profile of the Bison program. After suffering a torn ACL that sidelined her for most of the 2023–24 season, Howell made her return in the 2024- 2025 Season. She led the bison to a 12-2 conference record and a rematch in the conference championship against Norfolk State. However, despite Howell's strong outing, the Bison fell short against a dynamic Norfolk State team, losing 68–56. That loss marked the end of her HBCU career-but not the end of her story. Now, as Howell joins the Wisconsin Badgers, she brings with her the toughness, maturity, and proven scoring ability she developed at Howard. Her transfer not only strengthens Wisconsin's backcourt but also reinforces the growing respect for talent coming from HBCU programs. Howell's journey is another example of how players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities can thrive and transition to the highest levels of competition, including the Big Ten. With one final year of eligibility remaining, Howell has a chance to make an immediate impact in Madison. Her next chapter begins in the Big Ten, but her legacy at Howard and in HBCU basketball remains firmly intact. The post HBCU standout headed to Big Ten, after stellar run at Howard appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
USA Today
17-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin women's basketball lands former MEAC Player of the Year in transfer portal
Wisconsin women's basketball lands former MEAC Player of the Year in transfer portal Wisconsin women's basketball landed a commitment from Howard transfer guard Destiny Howell on Wednesday. Howell becomes the third transfer addition for the Badgers this offseason, joining forward NC State guard Laci Steele and former Southern Illinois forward Gift Uchenna. After missing the entire 2023-24 season with an ACL injury, Howell averaged 14.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 steals in 30.2 minutes per game for the Bison in 2024-25. Those outputs came with shooting rates of 35% from the field and 34% from 3, plus earned her a spot on the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's First Team for the second time in her career. The Queens, New York, native first broke out as a sophomore in 2022-23, averaging 12.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.4 steals. That preceded a career-best junior season, which included a conference-best 16.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and one steal per game, plus a conference-leading 40% shooting from the field and 35.6% from 3. Those outputs earned Howell the 2023 MEAC Player of the Year award. If not for her injury, Howell may have further increased her scoring average during her senior season. Still, she transfers to Wisconsin with a clear offensive skill set and the ability to score at multiple levels. Howell will likely fill the void left by former Wisconsin starting point guard Ronnie Porter, who elected to enter the transfer portal in March along with superstar Serah Williams and starting center Carter McCray. Porter averaged 8.6 points and 5.1 assists per game during the 2024-25 season, something Howell could certainly replicate given her dexterity with the basketball. With Howell's addition, UW now rosters a total of nine players. Newly hired head coach Robin Pingeton inherited a roster of only six players after top-down turnover followed the conclusion of the 2024-25 season. The Badgers new head coach is now transforming the program's foundation in real time. Wisconsin went 13-17 in 2024-25, struggling mightily against Big Ten opponents. UW's culture and reputation were in disarray. Early in the transfer cycle, Pingeton appears to be steering the ship back in the right direction. The work is far from over, however. With all of Wisconsin's recent departures, Pingeton will need to land several more players in the portal before expectations can be set for the upcoming campaign. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Miami Herald
15-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Former HBCU star selected in WNBA Draft
Former Arkansas Pine-Bluff guard Zaay Green was selected in the third round of the WNBA Draft on Monday night by the Washington Mystics. One of the best HBCU players in the country during her time at UAPB, Green finished her college career this season at the University of Alabama. Zaay Green made a name for herself as a dynamic and versatile guard throughout her college basketball career. A five-star recruit out of Texas, Green began her journey at the University of Tennessee, where she made an immediate impact as a freshman during the 2018–19 season. She averaged 9.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, showcasing her all-around game and potential as a future star. Unfortunately, a knee injury sidelined her for the entire 2019–20 season. After recovering, Green transferred to Texas A&M but saw limited action. Seeking a fresh start, she moved to UAPB, where she revived her career. At UAPB, Green became the centerpiece of the team's offense, consistently leading in scoring, rebounding, and playmaking. Her leadership and talent earned her All-SWAC honors and national attention for her performances. Green transferred to Alabama last season, where she averaged 15.7 points per game, one less than her 16.7 ppg at UAPB during the 2023-24 season. She's projected to be a point guard in the WNBA. The Washington Mystics' 2024 season was marked by challenges and transitions. They began with a 12-game losing streak but rallied to finish 14–26, narrowly missing the playoffs . Key players like Ariel Atkins and Stefanie Dolson provided leadership, while rookie Aaliyah Edwards showed promise . Former Norfolk State guard Diamond Johnson was projected to be a late-round pick in some mock drafts. The MEAC Player of the Year wasn't selected in the draft. Johnson dominated HBCU basketball for the last two seasons and stands as the only active Division I player with at least 2,000 points, 600 rebounds, 390 assists, and 300 steals. The post Former HBCU star selected in WNBA Draft appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
New York Times
17-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
South Carolina's path to the Final Four: Could Duke's momentum upturn the Gamecocks?
In the hunt to repeat as national champions, South Carolina is a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight season and ninth time under coach Dawn Staley. While UCLA holds the top seed overall in the bracket, the Gamecocks are second, checking in as the No. 1 seed in the Birmingham 2 Region. Advertisement The path to the Gamecocks winning a second-straight championship must go through a region chock full of potent offenses, star talent and a couple of familiar regional rivals. South Carolina opens against No. 16 seed Tennessee Tech, helmed by Kim Rosamond who is making her second straight appearance in the tournament. In the next round, the Gamecocks could face one of the most potent 3-point shooting teams in the country regardless of who wins the No. 8 versus No. 9 game. Eighth-seeded Utah and ninth-seeded Indiana represent two tough programs that South Carolina has already gotten a taste of. Staley's program dispatched the Utes at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia last season in a tightly contested game. The Gamecocks also took on the then-No. 4 Hoosiers in the Sweet 16 of last season's tournament. Though both teams are still strong opposition, losing star frontcourt players after last season in Mackenzie Holmes (Indiana) and Alissa Pili (Utah) make this a more straightforward game for the Gamecocks. If the Gamecocks get to the second weekend, the competition in the Sweet 16 grows significantly. No. 4 seed Maryland earned a host seed and owns the nation's 15th-best offense, led by versatile senior guard Shyanne Sellers. The biggest question surrounding the Terrapins is Sellers' health, as she was hampered by a knee injury for much of the last month of the season. However, when coach Brenda Frese's team is firing on all cylinders, it is among the country's most. The Gamecocks could also face a familiar SEC foe in No. 5 seed in Birmingham, which would be playing in proximity to its campus. The Crimson Tide earned their highest seed under coach Kristy Curry and the highest seed for the Tide since 1999. Alabama lost to South Carolina 76-58 in the regular season in Columbia, the programs' lone matchup this season. It's worth noting that star guard Sara Ashlee Barker missed that game due to injury but she finished the season healthy. The moment 😍 — South Carolina Women's Basketball (@GamecockWBB) March 17, 2025 Don't sleep on the potential of two midmajors in Birmingham 2: Green Bay and Norfolk State. Norfolk State's Diamond Johnson, the MEAC Player of the Year, is a pro-level guard, and Maryland can struggle with dribble penetration, which could help the Spartans stage an upset. Kayla Karius' Green Bay squad spreads the floor at a high level and controls the pace of play, making teams regret giving the Phoenix an early lead. Advertisement South Carolina has a potent regional rivalry matchup in the Elite Eight. No. 2 seed Duke, which the Gamecocks defeated in Columbia 81-70 this season, enters the NCAA Tournament after winning its first ACC tournament title under Kara Lawson and its first as a program since 2013. No. 3 seed North Carolina — another potential Elite Eight opponent — lost in the second round of last season's tournament to the Gamecocks, who won the national championship. The Tar Heels have their highest seeding since 2013, and their highest in Courtney Banghart's tenure. The health of North Carolina point guard Reniya Kelly will be a key storyline to follow, as she was significant to the Tar Heels' success throughout the year and was limited during the ACC tournament. The Blue Devils, on the other hand, are one of the hottest teams in the country, winners of six straight, including five games by double digits. No. 6 West Virginia has a duo of star guards in JJ Quinerly and Jordan Harrsion, as well as one of the staunchest defenses in the country, the fifth most efficient defense, per CBB Analytics. With some seasoning earned in last year's tournament run, they could be gearing up for a run. No. 7 Vanderbilt has its own star duo in Mikayla Blakes and Khamil Pierre, who combined to average nearly 44 points per game. With a top-notch scoring guard in Blakes, and an elite offensive rebounding team (24th in the country in offensive rebound rate, per CBB Analytics), the Commodores could be feisty opponent if they go on a run. South Carolina has a navigable path to another Final Four appearance. With familiar faces and foes from this season and seasons in the past, the Gamecocks are in store for many entertaining games — but ones they can ultimately win. Download your printable bracket here. (Photo of Tessa Johnson and Te-Hina Paopao: Eakin Howard / Getty Images)
