Florida State Athletics

Two Noles on National Watch Lists

Seminoles.com | December 01, 2016

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Seminoles.com) – Florida State Women’s Basketball All-Americans Leticia Romero and Shakayla Thomas are once again on the national radar, as both have been named to the Naismith Trophy and Wade Trophy Watch Lists.

The Wade Trophy — now in its 40th year — is the oldest national player of the year award in college women’s basketball. It is named in honor of the late, legendary Delta State University head coach Lily Margaret Wade, who won three consecutive national championships with the Lady Statesmen.

First awarded in 1978 by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), now known as SHAPE America, the Wade Trophy has been presented to the WBCA NCAA Division I National Player of the Year since 2001.

The “Wade Watch” list of candidates for The Wade Trophy is composed of 25 players selected by the WBCA NCAA Division I Coaches’ All-America Selection Committee. The committee will review the list in January to determine if additional players will be added based on their play during the first half of the 2016-17 season.

The Atlanta Tipoff Club announced the watch list of 50 players in consideration for the 2017 Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year. The ACC leads with 12 players followed by the SEC. The mid-season list of 30 will be announced February 8, 2017.

Romero is attempting to become the first three-time All-American in FSU history, and is off to another good start in her senior season. The Canary Islands native is averaging 12.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and shooting 59.1 percent from the floor. Romero is also shooting 66.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Romero was named tournament MVP of the Paradise Jam, where she set a tournament record for field goal percentage, shooting 70.4 percent (19-of-27) to eclipse Breanna Stewart’s previous best mark. Over the three games, she averaged 17.3 points and had a career-high 25 points in an 87-69 win over No. 25 Gonzaga.

Thomas leads the Seminoles with 14.3 points per game, 48 field goals made, 48 total rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots per game. She was named to the Paradise Jam All-Tournament Team and delivered a big 19-point, 11-rebound performance in the championship game against Michigan.

The Sylacauga, Ala., native has started all eight games this season after being the back-to-back ACC Sixth Player of the Year. She is shooting 50 percent (48-of-96) from the floor this year and has double-figure point totals in six of her eight games played.

The eighth-ranked Seminoles prepare for their next game against Western Carolina on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 2 p.m. at the Donald L. Tucker Center.

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