2023-24 Academic All-America® Women's Basketball Teams announced for all NCAA and NAIA divisions

2023-24 Academic All-America® Women's Basketball Teams announced for all NCAA and NAIA divisions

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Clark, Pirosko, Bruns and Beyer Highlight 2023-24 Academic All-America® Women's Basketball Teams
Clark repeats as Academic All-American of the Year; Beyer earns her third-straight Academic All-American of the Year honor

Women's Basketball Release (NCAA & NAIA Divisions): PDF  |  doc 
 
AUSTIN, Texas – College Sports Communicators (CSC) announced Tuesday the 2023-24 Academic All-America® women's basketball teams for NCAA Division I-II-III and NAIA, headlined by University of Iowa's Caitlin Clark, Samantha Pirosko from Gannon University, New York University's Natalie Bruns, and Grace Beyer of the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis.
 
Clark (Division I), Pirosko (Division II), Bruns (Division III) and Beyer (NAIA) have each been named the Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year award winner for their respective divisions.
 
Clark was the No. 1 overall draft selection by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft on Monday night. Her new Indiana Fever teammate Aliyah Boston was the 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick, a three-time Academic All-American, and the Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year in 2021 and 2022. In total, the Fever now boast four CSC Academic All-Americans on their roster including Grace Berger (Indiana), Boston, Clark and Lexie Hull (Stanford).
 
Tennessee's Candace Parker (2008, LA Sparks), UConn's Maya Moore (2011, Minnesota) and Stanford's Chiney Ogwumike (2014, Connecticut Sun) join Clark and Boston as WNBA No. 1 selections and Academic All-America® Team Members of the Year. Clark, Boston and Moore are two-time recipients. Virginia Tech's Elizabeth Kitley (Rd 2-24, Aces) and Indiana's Mackenzie Holmes (Rd 3-26, Storm) were also selected in the 2024 WNBA Draft on Monday.
 

NCAA Division I

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Caitlin Clark repeats as the Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year for Division I, becoming the seventh player to earn the honor in back-to-back seasons. It's the third time in her career being selected to the first team, having also earned the honor in 2021-22. The senior guard from West Des Moines, Iowa, carries a 3.64 GPA while majoring in marketing. Clark was recently named the Wooden Award National Player of the Year after leading the nation in 10 different offensive categories including averaging 31.6 points and 8.9 assists per game. She also led the country with six triple doubles while ranking fourth with 24 double doubles. She was also named the National Player of the Year by the Associated Press, USA Today, ESPN.com, The Athletic, the Sporting News, and the Naismith award. Her other national honors include the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year, Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, Wade Trophy, and the Honda Sport Award. Clark led the Hawkeyes to their second straight National Championship appearance while becoming the first Division-I player to record 1,000+ points in back-to-back season.
 
Five of the 16 members of the Academic All-America® Division I women's basketball teams boast a perfect 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate work or graduate school. The five members of the first team have an average GPA of 3.73, with the entire Division I team holding a collective average GPA of 3.77.
 
Four other student-athletes join Clark as a repeat selection on the Academic All-America® Division I team. Ayoka Lee of Kansas State University also earns her third Academic All-America® honor after earning the honor in 2020-21 and 2021-22. The other repeat selections from last season were Mackenzie Holmes (Indiana University), Hannah Jump (Stanford University), and Elizabeth Kitley (Virginia Tech).

 
FIRST TEAM
Name School Yr. GPA Major
Georgia Amoore Virginia Tech Sr. 3.56 Sociology
Paige Bueckers University of Connecticut Jr. 3.50 Human Development & Family Sciences
Caitlin Clark (1)(4) University of Iowa Sr. 3.64 Marketing
Mackenzie Holmes (1) Indiana University Gr. 3.62/3.64 Human Development & Family Studies (U)
Elizabeth Kitley (1) Virginia Tech Gr. 3.90/4.00 Curriculum & Instruction
Ayoka Lee (4)(8) Kansas State Sr. 3.90/3.85 Masters in Couple & Family Counseling
SECOND TEAM
Name School Yr. GPA Major
Raegan Beers Oregon State So. 3.55 Education
Kaitlyn Chen Princeton University Sr. 3.54 Medical Anthropology
Yvonne Ejim Gonzaga University Sr. 3.55 Human Physiology
Hannah Jump (2) Stanford University Gr. 3.76 Psychology
THIRD TEAM
Name School Yr. GPA Major
Frida Formann University of Colorado Sr. 4.00 Environmental Studies
Shay Holle The University of Texas at Austin Sr. 3.54/4.00 Finance
Morgan Maly Creighton University Sr. 3.95 Exercise Science
Irene Murua University of Detroit Mercy Sr. 4.00 Mathematics
Rachael Rose Wofford Jr. 3.86 Psychology
Amy Velasco Bowling Green State University Jr. 4.00 Physical Education and Health Education

(1) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2022-23
(2) – 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2022-23
(4) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2021-22
(8) – 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2020-21


 

NCAA Division II

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A forward from Eastlake, Ohio, Samantha Pirosko has been named the Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year for Division II. The senior carries a 3.93 GPA while pursuing her bachelor's degree in health sciences. She was also named to the first team a season ago. Pirosko finished the year second in Division II in field goals (251) and free throws (223), while her 19.8 points per game were 10th. She led the Golden Knights to the Elite Eight and their third Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) tournament title in the last four seasons. She was named the WBCA and D2CCA National Player of the Year while also being named the PSAC West Women's Basketball Athlete of the Year and the D2CCA Atlantic Region Player of the Year. In her final season she set a new program record with 752 points on the year and finishes her career second in program history with 2,293 points.
 
Six of the 15 members of the Academic All-America® Division II women's basketball teams sustain an unblemished 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate work or graduate school. The five members of the first team have an average GPA of 3.96, with the entire Division II team maintaining a collective average GPA of 3.89.
 
There three repeat selections joining Pirosko on the Academic All-America® Division II team are Chloe Idoni (Ferris State University), Audrey Ramsey (University of Tampa) and Braelyn Wykle (Carson-Newman).
 
The Division II Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by the NCAA Division II national governance structure to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2023-24 Division II Academic All-America® program.
 
FIRST TEAM
Name School Yr. GPA Major
Kola Bad Bear Montana State University Billings Gr. 4.00/4.00 Community Health
Joey Batt Minnesota State Sr. 3.97 Elementary Education
Grace Foster Lubbock Christian University Jr. 4.00 Criminal Justice
Ashley Ingram Texas Woman's University Jr. 3.87 Kinesiology
Samantha Pirosko (1) Gannon University Sr. 3.93 Health Sciences
SECOND TEAM
Name School Yr. GPA Major
Keeley Carter Trevecca Nazarene University Sr. 3.95 Science Education
Chloe Idoni (3) Ferris State University Sr. 3.99 Elementary Education
Audrey Ramsey (3) University of Tampa Gr. 4.00/3.85 Cybersecurity & Information Technology Management
Lexie Schneider University of Mary Gr. 3.55/3.66 Organizational Leadership
Ashley Steffeck Colorado School of Mines Gr. 3.69/4.00 Engineering & Technology Management
Emilee Weakley Frostburg State So. 3.93 Business Administration
THIRD TEAM
Name School Yr. GPA Major
Makaylee Kuhn Northern Michigan University Sr. 4.00 Environmental Studies
Olivia Reed Colorado Mesa University So. 3.92 Fitness & Health Promotion
Braelyn Wykle (2) Carson-Newman Gr. 3.57/4.00 Business Administration
Sam Yencha Jefferson Jr. 3.88 Biopsychology

(1) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2022-23
(2) – 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2022-23
(3) – 3rd team Academic All-America® in 2022-23



 

NCAA Division III

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Natalie Bruns earns the Academic All-America® of the Year for Division III, being named to the third team last season. The senior from St. Louis, Missouri, holds a 3.96 GPA as the forward pursues her degree in business & technology management. Bruns led NYU to the national championship and a perfect 31-0 record while being named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player. She was named the National Player of the Year and All-America from both the WBCA and D3hoops.com. The University Athletic Association Player of the Year finished the season averaging 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.16 blocks per game. She ranks fourth in the nation in total blocks (98), sixth in field goal shooting (59.3), and ninth in blocks per game. She became the 18th player in program history to reach 1,000 points while setting a new single-season program record for blocks.
 
Five of the 15 members of the Academic All-America® Division III women's basketball teams claim a perfect 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate work or graduate school. The five members of the first team have an average GPA of 3.97, with the entire Division III team retaining a collective average GPA of 3.91.
 
Joining Bruns as repeat selections on the Academic All-America® Division III team are Claire Brock (Emory University), Julie Baudendistel (Webster University), Elyce Knudsen (Millikin University), and Cassidy Perry (Gallaudet University). Brock is a three-time selection.
 
The Division III Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by the NCAA Division III national governance structure to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2023-24 Division III Academic All-America® program.
 
FIRST TEAM
Name School Yr. GPA Major
Claire Brock (1)(5) Emory University Gr. 4.00/4.00 Bioethics
Natalie Bruns (3) New York University Sr. 3.96 Business & Technology Management
Paris Kiser Hardin-Simmons University Gr. 4.00/4.00 Business
Elyce Knudsen (1) Millikin University Sr. 3.90 Finance
Cassidy Perry (2) Gallaudet University Sr. 3.95 Sociology
Kasey Schipfer Ohio Wesleyan University Sr. 3.91 Exercise Science & Psychology
SECOND TEAM
Name School Yr. GPA Major
Lauren Huber Illinois Wesleyan University Jr. 3.60 Biology
Conley Langford Mississippi University for Women Jr. 4.00 Biology
Jaedon Murphy Wartburg College Sr. 3.92 Business Administration
Zoe Tomlinson Colorado College Jr. 3.94 Mathematical Economics
THIRD TEAM
Name School Yr. GPA Major
Julie Baudendistel (2) Webster University Gr. 3.98/4.00 Business Administration (G)
Gwendolyn Carpenter Framingham State University Sr. 3.99 Biology & Neuroscience
Aleah Grundahl University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Sr. 3.50 Elementary Education
Parris Parmer Hardin-Simmons University Gr. 4.00/4.00 Exercise Science
Olivia Rangel Carroll University Jr. 3.73 Communications & Spanish

(1) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2022-23
(2) – 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2022-23
(3) – 3rd team Academic All-America® in 2022-23
(5) – 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2021-22

 

NAIA

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Grace Beyer becomes the first player in the history of the Women's Basketball Academic All-America® program to earn the Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year honor three consecutive seasons. The graduate student from Eagle, Wisconsin, maintains a 3.89 GPA while pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree after earning her undergraduate degree also in pharmacy with a 3.97 GPA. For the fourth straight season, Beyer led the NAIA in points per game, averaging 35.0 for the season. Her 1,051 points gave her 3,961 for her career, breaking the 34-year-old NAIA record. This season she not only led the NAIA in points per game, but also field goals (306-662) and free throws (375-403), while ranking second in the nation in free throw percentage (93.1). She was named the American Midwest Conference (AMC) Player of the Year for the third straight year. During the regular season, she was named the AMC Player of the Week 10 times and was twice named the NAIA National Player of the Week.
 
Five of the 11 members of the Academic All-America® NAIA women's basketball teams maintain an impeccable 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate work or graduate school. The five members of the first team have an average GPA of 3.93, with the entire NAIA team carrying a collective average GPA of 3.90.
 
The other repeat selection on the Academic All-America® NAIA team joining Beyer is Olivia Sprague (Oregon Tech), who earned first team honors last season.
 
The NAIA Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by the NAIA national governance structure to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2023-24 NAIA Academic All-America® program.
 
FIRST TEAM
Name School Yr. GPA Major
Grace Beyer (1)(4) University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy Gr. 3.97/3.89 Pharmacy
Sandra Cannady Loyola University New Orleans Gr. 4.00/4.00 Business Administration (G)
Lilli Frasure Indiana Wesleyan University Jr. 3.97 Elementary Education
Ashlee Maldonado University of Providence Jr. 4.00/4.00 Organizational Leadership
Jamie Pickens Carroll College Gr. 3.57 Nursing & Health Sciences
SECOND TEAM
Name School Yr. GPA Major
Jessica Carrothers Indiana University Northwest So. 3.67 Criminal Justice
Mak Hatcliff Doane University Jr. 3.82 Pre-Medicine
Bekki Kalaydjiev Southeastern University Gr. 3.90/4.00 Kinesiology (G)
Olivia Sprague (2) Oregon Tech Jr. 4.00 Dental Hygiene
Callie Stevens Lewis-Clark State College Sr. 3.69 Business Informatics
Jordan Sweeney Montana Western Sr. 4.00 Education Studies

(1) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2022-23
(2) – 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2022-23
(4) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2021-22





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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jeff Schwartz, Retired, North Dakota State University | Academic All-America® Co-Director for Publicity
Schwartzy2@yahoo.com | (701) 793-0538

Brian Alden, University of South Carolina | Academic All-America® Coordinator of Publicity
aldenb@mailbox.sc.edu | (803) 777-1516