Makayla Epps Named Candidate for 2017 Wade Trophy

LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky women’s basketball senior guard Makayla Epps has been named one of 25 candidates for the 2017 Wade Trophy, which annually seeks to honor the national player of the year in college women’s basketball. 

The Wade Trophy — now in its 40th year — is the oldest and most prestigious 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 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association 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.

Epps, who has scored 1,310 career points to rank 18th on UK’s all-time scoring list, is off to a great start this season for the Wildcats. The native of Lebanon, Ky., is averaging a team-best 17.2 points per game and leads the team with 31 assists and nine steals. The senior has scored in double figures in every game but one this season, including two games with 20-plus points. 

Epps earned lofty praise this preseason after averaging 17.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists last season. On top of her nomination to the Nancy Lieberman Watch List, which annually recognizes the top point guard in division I women’s basketball, Epps was named to College Sports Madness’ and The Sporting News’ Preseason All-America First Team, Athlon Sports Preseason All-America Second Team and was named Preseason All-SEC by league media and league coaches. Last season, Epps earned honorable-mention All-America honors by both The Associated Press and WBCA.

For more information on the Kentucky women’s basketball team, visit UKathletics.com or follow @KentuckyWBB on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat, or Kentucky Women’s Basketball on Facebook.

Player – Institution – Position – Height – Year

Lindsay Allen – Notre Dame – Guard – 5-8 – Sr. 

Kristine Anigwe – California – Forward/Center – 6-4 – So.

Jordin Canada – UCLA – Guard – 5-6 – Jr. 

Alaina Coates – South Carolina – Center – 6-4 – Sr. 

Nia Coffey – Northwestern – Forward – 6-1 – Sr. 

Nina Davis – Baylor – Forward – 5-11 – Sr. 

Diamond DeShields – Tennessee – Guard – 6-1 – Jr.

MAKAYLA EPPS – KENTUCKY – GUARD – 5-10 – SR. 

Katelynn Flaherty – Michigan – Guard – 5-7 – Jr. 

Myisha Hines-Allen – Louisville – Forward – 6-2 – Jr. 

Brionna Jones – Maryland – Center – 6-3 – Sr. 

Alexis Jones – Baylor – Guard – 5-9 – Sr.

Erica McCall – Stanford – Forward – 6-3 – Sr. 

Kelsey Mitchell – Ohio State – Guard – 5-8 – Jr. 

Mariya Moore – Louisville – Forward – 6-0 – Jr. 

Kia Nurse – Connecticut – Guard – 6-0 – Jr. 

Alexis Peterson – Syracuse – Guard – 5-7 – Sr. 

Kelsey Plum – Washington – Guard – 5-8 – Sr. 

Leticia Romero – Florida State – Guard – 5-8 – Sr. 

Shakayla Thomas – Florida State – Forward – 5-11 – Jr. 

Brianna Turner – Notre Dame – Forward – 6-3 – Jr. 

Victoria Vivians – Mississippi State – Guard – 6-1 – Jr. 

Shatori Walker-Kimbrough – Maryland – Guard – 5-11 – Sr. 

Sydney Wiese – Oregon State – Guard – 6-1 – Sr. 

A’ja Wilson – South Carolina – Forward – 6-5 – Jr.