Utah Standout Gianna Kneepkens Named Pac-12 Freshman Of The Year

SALT LAKE CITY – University of Utah women’s basketball standout Gianna Kneepkens was named Pac-12 Freshman Of the Year after a fantastic season.

It came as no surprise that Gianna Kneepkens took home the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year award after averaging 11.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, while earning five Freshman of the Week honors. She also earned All-Pac-12 first team honors, the first Utes player since Megan Huff in 2019. Kneepkens is the second Utah player to earn Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, joining Dre’Una Edwards in 2019.

#Pac12WBB Freshman of the Year, presented by @Nextiva: Gianna Kneepkens. 🙌

Full release ➡️ https://t.co/5rMSUS9Whn#GoUtes | @UTAHWBB pic.twitter.com/6nhfAtsNjA

— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) March 1, 2022

Fellow freshman Jenna Johnson was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman team. Sophomore guard was named All-Pac-12 honorable mention.

“What an incredible honor for Gianna, Kennady, and Jenna. I am so impressed and proud of them for what they were able to accomplish consistently all season,” said Utah women’s basketball head coach Lynne Roberts. “The hard work they’ve put in when no one is watching was rewarded. That said, I also love that our team has had success this season because of our balance and acceptance of that balance. They have all bought into the mindset of ‘it doesn’t matter who, as long as we reach our goals.’ It’s been a fun year thus far, and I can’t wait to see what this team can do in March.”

All-Pac-12 Teams

The Pac-12 has one All-Conference team with honorable mentions:

• Cameron Brink, Stanford
• Mya Hollingshed, Colorado
• Lexie Hull, Stanford
• Jordyn Jenkins, USC
• Haley Jones, Stanford
• Gianna Kneepkens, Utah
• Charlisse Leger-Walker, Washington State
• Jade Loville, Arizona State
• Charisma Osborne, UCLA
• Te-Hina Paopao, Oregon
• Cate Reese, Arizona
• Endyia Rogers, Oregon
• Nyara Sabally, Oregon
• Ilmar’l Thomas, UCLA
• Talia von Oelhoffen, Oregon State

Honorable Mention: Jayda Curry, California; Krystal Leger-Walker, Washington State; Kennady McQueen, Utah; Quay Miller, Colorado; Nancy Mulkey, Washington; Jordan Sanders, USC; Sam Thomas, Arizona; Haley Van Dyke, Washington.

Here is the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team:

• Cameron Brink, Stanford
• Lexie Hull, Stanford
• Sam Thomas, Arizona
• Kindyll Wetta, Colorado
• Anna Wilson, Stanford

Honorable Mention: Taya Corosdale, Oregon State; Mael Gilles, Arizona State; Krystal Leger-Walker, Washington State; Rayah Marshall, USC; Leilani McIntosh, California; Nancy Mulkey, Washington; Charisma Osborne, UCLA; Helena Pueyo, Arizona; Jordan Sanders, USC; Maddie Scherr, Oregon; Haley Van Dyke, Washington.

Here is the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team:

• Jayda Curry, California
• Jenna Johnson, Utah
• Gianna Kneepkens, Utah
• Rayah Marshall, USC
• Kindyll Wetta, Colorado

Honorable Mention: Izzy Anstey, UCLA; Kiki Iriafen, Stanford; Greta Kampschroeder, Oregon State.

Other Pac-12 Individual Award Winners

• Player of the Year: Haley Jones, Stanford
• Defensive Player of the Year: Cameron Brink, Stanford
• Freshman of the Year: Gianna Kneepkens, Utah
• Sixth Player Of the Year: Quay Miller, Colorado
• Co-Most Improved Player: Jordyn Jenkins, USC
• Co-Most Improved Player: Bella Murekatete, Washington State
• Coach of the Year: Tara VanDerveer, Stanford

Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for KSLSports.com, Co-Host of Faith, Family and Football podcast with Clark Phillips III and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports.

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