Definition
"The Wade Trophy represents the best of women's collegiate basketball. It is awarded annually to the greatest female basketball player in the country who not only excels athletically, but serves as a positive role model both on and off the court." The Wade Trophy, named after the late, legendary three-time national champion, Delta State University coach Lily Margaret Wade, debuted in 1978 as the first-ever women's national player of the year award in college basketball.

Eligibility
All academically eligible women's basketball athletes in NCAA Division I (sophomore, junior or senior) who are members of the Division I State Farm Coaches' All-America Team qualify as candidates to receive the State Farm Wade Trophy. Freshmen are not eligible for the State Farm Wade Trophy Player of the Year honor.

Criteria (In Priority Order)
1. NCAA Division I basketball player (sophomore, junior or senior) who is a member of the Division I State Farm Coaches' All-America Team. Selection is based on team statistics, improvement from year-to-year and contribution to the team.

a. Seniors and juniors are eligible automatically.
b. Sophomores may be nominated if the majority of the selection committee agrees that the sophomore in question is worthy of such high honors.

2. A player who embodies the "Spirit of Margaret Wade."

a. Excellence on the court (as defined above)
b. Academically eligible to compete as defined by the NCAA and the institution.
c. Adheres to the principles of sportsmanship and ethical conduct as outlined in NCAA Constitution 2.4.

Nomination
Nominees are selected from the pool of State Farm Coaches' All-America nominees within NCAA Division I.

Selection
Nominees are selected from the pool of the Division I State Farm Coaches' All-America Team. The State Farm Wade Trophy Player of the Year Committee selects the winner for this award.

Presentation
The State Farm Wade Trophy is presented annually at the WBCA National Convention.

Past Wade Trophy Recipients:
2009 - Maya Moore, Connecticut
2008 - Candice Wiggins, Stanford
2007 - Candace Parker, Tennessee
2006 - Seimone Augustus, LSU
2005 - Seimone Augustus, LSU
2004 - Alana Beard, Duke
2003 - Diana Taurasi, Connecticut
2002 - Sue Bird, Connecticut
2001 - Jackie Stiles, Southwest Missouri State
2000 - Edwina Brown, Texas
1999 - Stephanie White-McCarty, Purdue
1998 - Ticha Penicheiro, Old Dominion
1997 - DeLisha Milton, Florida
1996 - Jennifer Rizzotti, Connecticut
1995 - Rebecca Lobo, Connecticut
1994 - Carol Ann Shudlick, Minnesota
1993 - Karen Jennings, Nebraska
1992 - Susan Robinson, Penn State
1991 - Daedra Charles, Tennessee
1990 - Jennifer Azzi, Stanford
1989 - Clarissa Davis, Texas
1988 - Teresa Weatherspoon, Louisiana Tech
1987 - Shelly Pennefeather, Villanova
1986 - Kamie Ethridge, Texas
1985 - Cheryl Miller, USC
1984 - Janice Lawrence, Louisiana Tech
1983 - LaTaunya Pollard, Long Beach State
1982 - Pam Kelly, Louisiana Tech
1981 - Lynette Woodard, Kansas
1980 - Nancy Lieberman, Old Dominion
1979 - Nancy Lieberman, Old Dominion
1978 - Carol Blazejowski, Montclair State

[View all previous WBCA Players of the Year]