HOPEWELL, N.J. – Sophomore Ayzhiana Basallo has been named as a Her Hoop Stats Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year semifinalist, the organization announced on Tuesday morning. Basallo is the youngest of the 10 players to make the list.
The award - in its first year of existence - recognizes the nation's best mid-major player, the first such award in women's collegiate basketball.
"Shana works on her game as hard as anyone in mid-major college basketball," says San José State head coach Jamie Craighead. "Her hard work is paying off and Spartans everywhere should be proud of this young student-athlete who represents our program and San José State University."
The point guard currently ranks 10th nationally in scoring at 20.7 points per game while also averaging 4.9 assists per contest. In addition, she is slotted at No. 3 in all of Division I with a 92.9% mark from the free throw line.
Basallo has scored in double figures in all 19 of her games against D-I opponents while recording two double-doubles. She has led SJSU in scoring in 12 games, a mark led by a 33-point performance in a victory over San Diego.
The San Francisco native is the only Mountain West representative to make the list. Basallo is a two-time Mountain West Player of the Week honoree this season, winning the award in back-to-back weeks earlier in the year.
Going back-to-back!
— San José State Women's Basketball (@SanJoseStateWBB) November 25, 2019
Congrats to Ayzhiana Basallo for becoming the first Spartan in program history to win consecutive conference Player of the Week awards ??https://t.co/HsFtvHhsI0 pic.twitter.com/hq3VEh4sNY
The sophomore has helped lead San José State to a 15-7 record, a mark that has already clinched the program's first winning regular season since the 2004-05 campaign.
Her Hoop Stats will announce the five finalists for the award on Monday, March 9. Each of the finalists will be considered for the award, with the winner being announced on Wednesday, April 1.
"I think it's awesome to recognize players who maybe don't have the glitz and glamour or privilege of being on national TV, but are doing great things on their journey through college hoops," Coach Hammon said in a statement to Her Hoop Stats.
A Mountain West product herself, Hammon shined as a student-athlete at Colorado State and is now an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs.
To be eligible for the award and watch lists, players must compete in one of the 25 conferences deemed to be a "mid-major." Players are selected based on their on-court production in the 2019-20 season.
Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award Semifinalists:
Bella Alarie, Princeton, G/F, Sr.
Ayzhiana Basallo, San José State, PG, So.
Denia Davis-Stewart, Merrimack, F, Sr.
Cierra Duffy, South Dakota, G, Sr.
Ellie Harmeyer, Belmont, F, Sr.
Keri Jewett-Giles, Florida Gulf Coast, G, Sr.
Stella Johnson, Rider, G, Sr.
Stephanie Karcz, Loyola (MD), G, Sr.
Micaela Kelly, Central Michigan, G, Jr.
Chelsey Perry, UT Martin, F, Jr.
Sara Rhine, Drake, F, Sr.