SALT LAKE CITY – In case you haven’t heard yet, Utah women’s basketball is really good. So good that two of their players have been earning post-season award buzz as the 2022-2023 season winds down.

Currently ranked No. 7 in the country and sitting at 18-2 on their season, the Utes have been virtually unstoppable thanks to Alissa Pili, Gianna Kneepkens and a whole cast of characters that have bought in and shined when their number has been called.

For their efforts, Pili and Kneepkens have made a couple of different post-season award watchlists with a few games left that could further push the odds into their favor.

Alissa Pili Post-Season Award Buzz

Pili may be new to the Utes via the transfer portal, but she’s playing like she’s been with the team all along. The junior forward is currently first in the Pac-12 in scoring averaging 20.3 points per game, while ranking 20th in the nation. Pili is also tops of the conference in shooting percentage at 61.9% which is good for 11th in the country.

 

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Those stats have recently put Pili on the Late Season Top 20 Watch List for the John R. Wooden Award, recognizing the most outstanding player in college basketball along with Top 10 Watchlist for the 2023 Katrina McClain Award given out to the top power forward in NCAA women’s basketball.

Gianna Kneepkens Post-Season Award Buzz

Pili is not the only Ute drawing eyeballs for their play on the court in 2023. Kneepkens has also been a force shooting the three, currently sitting first in the Pac-12 and ninth in the country with a 45.5% shooting percentage.

𝐍𝐎 𝐃𝐎𝐔𝐁𝐓 ⭐️ @giannakneepkens named to the 𝐓𝐎𝐏-10 candidates for the Cheryl Miller Award, recognizing the nations’ 𝐓𝐎𝐏 small forwards. Congratulations G! pic.twitter.com/MB4kssLXD8

— Utah Women’s Basketball (@UTAHWBB) February 1, 2023

Kneepkens’ ability has put her squarely on the Top-10 radar for the Cheryl Miller Award which is given out to the best small forward in NCAA women’s basketball.

How U Can Help

Both the Katrina McClain and Cheryl Miller Awards will be open to fan voting starting on February 3rd. Visit hoophallawards.com to cast your vote. The fan vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process for both awards.

Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for KSLsports.com and host of both the Crimson Corner Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and The Saturday Show (Saturday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.) on The KSL Sports Zone. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram: @BodkinKSLsports

 

 

 

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