SPRINGFIELD, MA – Senior Stella Johnson (Denville, NJ/Morris Catholic) of the Rider University women's basketball team was named one of the top-10 candidates for the 2020 Nancy Lieberman Award as announced by the Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) on Monday.
Now in its twenty-first year, the award recognizes the top point guard in women's NCAA Division I college basketball. To be considered for the prestigious award, candidates must exhibit floor leadership, playmaking and ball-handling skills of Class of 1996 Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman.
Stella was the only mid-major selected to the top-10 as she joined players from the BIG EAST, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac 12, SEC, and AAC.
"We are excited Stella has been recognized as a finalist for this prestigious award," Rider Head Coach
Lynn Milligan said. "It is a testament to her versatility, efficiency and unselfish play. She continues to lead her team, work hard and grow her game at both ends of the floor."
Stella Johnson currently leads the NCAA in scoring with 25.0 points per game. This season, she is also averaging over seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block per game.
The Selection Committee for the Nancy Lieberman Award is composed of top women's college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers. New to the award this season is Fan Voting presented by Dell Technologies.
Starting Five Fan Voting presented by Dell Technologies will go live Friday, February 14 via www.hoophallawards.com.
In March, five finalists will be presented to Ms. Lieberman and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The winner of the 2020 Lieberman Award will be presented at
The College Basketball Awards presented by Wendy's in Los Angeles, CA on Friday, April 10, along with the other four members of the Women's Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard Award, the Cheryl Miller Small Forward Award, the Katrina McClain Power Forward Award and the Lisa Leslie Center Award, in addition to the Men's Starting Five.
Rider returns home for a tilt against Marist on Tuesday, February 11. The Broncs are looking to complete the regular-season series sweep of the Red Foxes as opening tip is slated for 7:00 pm.