Press Release :: Women's Basketball Coaches Association

ATLANTA - The State Farm Wade Trophy Committee decided unanimously to add Michigan State sophomore center Allyssa DeHaan to the 2007-2008 State Farm Wade Watch List. She joins the pool of 25 players selected during the preseason.

“I agree with the committee’s decision to add Allyssa to the talented group of individuals in consideration for the 2008 State Farm Wade Trophy,” said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. “To achieve such recognition as a sophomore is outstanding.”

The committee elected to add DeHaan to the Wade Watch based on her on-court successes early on in the season.

Most recently, DeHaan picked up her second consecutive Big Ten Player of the Week nod after posting nearly a triple-double (24 points, 10 rebounds, eight blocks) in the Spartan’s win over Indiana State. She is the nation’s leading shot blocker averaging 5.3 rejections per game. DeHaan’s 193 career blocks ranks her one shy of Michigan State’s all-time record of 194 set by Kristen Rasmussen.

DeHaan also ranks among the conference’s best in four categories. She is currently second in free throw percentage (89.2), third in both scoring and rebounding (17.9 points per game and 8.4 rebounds per game) and fifth in field goal percentage (58.9).

The renowned “Wade Watch” list for the State Farm Wade Trophy is comprised of student-athletes who are members of an NCAA Division I institution and are selected based on the following criteria: game and season statistics, leadership, character, effect on their team and overall playing ability. The national awards committee who selects these candidates is comprised of leading basketball coaches, journalists and basketball administrators.

Founded in 1981, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association promotes women’s basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game in all of its aspects as a sport for women and girls. For more information about the WBCA, please visit wbca.org.