Five Huskies Tabbed to Naismith Women’s Early Season Watch List

The UConn Huskies women's basketball team has had five of its members selected for the 2012-13 Naismith Trophy Early Season Watch List.

Here's the release:

STORRS, Conn. – The UConn women’s basketball team had five standouts named to the 2012-13 Naismith Women’s Early Season Watch List as announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club on Thursday morning. Stefanie Dolson, Kelly Faris, Bria Hartley, Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis and Breanna Stewart all earned a spot on the early season list. The Huskies led all schools with their five selections.

Dolson, Hartley and Mosqueda-Lewis were also named to the John R. Wooden Award Preseason Top-30 and the Preseason Wade Watch List, while Hartley and Mosqueda-Lewis were selected as Honorable Mention Preseason All-Americans.

The 50 player watch list was compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors, which based its criteria on player performances from the previous year and expectations for the 2012-2013 college basketball season. The Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year presented by AT&T will be awarded on April 8, 2013, in New Orleans, La.

“With so much returning talent this year, anticipation and excitement for women’s college basketball season among fans, players and coaches is extremely high,” said Eric Oberman, executive director of the Atlanta Tipoff Club. “We look forward to watching these student-athletes compete and prove to the nation that they deserve to be recognized as the best women’s college basketball player in 2013.”

In late February, the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors will compile a mid-season team of the top 30 players in the nation. In March, the Naismith Trophy voting academy will vote to narrow the list to the four finalists.

For more information, visit www.naismithawards.com.

The UConn women’s hoops team will hit the road for the first time of the 2012-13 campaign as they take on No. 16 Texas A&M on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN2. The No. 2 Huskies enter Reed Arena with a 1-0 record after downing the College of Charleston behind Stewart’s 21 points.

For a full look at the 2012-13 Naismith Trophy Early Season Watch List, please click on the continue reading button below if you're on the home page.

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