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Clark, Pirosko, Bruns and Beyer Highlight 2023-24 Academic All-America® Women's Basketball Teams
Clark repeats as Academic All-American of the Year; Beyer earns her third-straight Academic All-American of the Year honor
Women's Basketball Release (NCAA & NAIA Divisions):PDF |doc
AUSTIN, Texas –College Sports Communicators (CSC) announced Tuesday the 2023-24 Academic All-America® women's basketball teams for NCAA Division I-II-III and NAIA, headlined by University of Iowa's Caitlin Clark, Samantha Pirosko from Gannon University, New York University's Natalie Bruns, and Grace Beyer of the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis.
Clark (Division I), Pirosko (Division II), Bruns (Division III) and Beyer (NAIA) have each been named the Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year award winner for their respective divisions.
Clark was the No. 1 overall draft selection by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft on Monday night. Her new Indiana Fever teammateAliyah Bostonwas the 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick, a three-time Academic All-American, and the Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year in 2021 and 2022. In total, the Fever now boast four CSC Academic All-Americans on their roster including Grace Berger (Indiana), Boston, Clark and Lexie Hull (Stanford).
Tennessee's Candace Parker (2008, LA Sparks), UConn's Maya Moore (2011, Minnesota) and Stanford's Chiney Ogwumike (2014, Connecticut Sun) join Clark and Boston as WNBA No. 1 selections and Academic All-America® Team Members of the Year. Clark, Boston and Moore are two-time recipients. Virginia Tech's Elizabeth Kitley (Rd 2-24, Aces) and Indiana's Mackenzie Holmes (Rd 3-26, Storm) were also selected in the 2024 WNBA Draft on Monday.
NCAA Division I
Caitlin Clark repeats as the Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year for Division I, becoming the seventh player to earn the honor in back-to-back seasons. It's the third time in her career being selected to the first team, having also earned the honor in 2021-22. The senior guard from West Des Moines, Iowa, carries a 3.64 GPA while majoring in marketing. Clark was recently named the Wooden Award National Player of the Year after leading the nation in 10 different offensive categories including averaging 31.6 points and 8.9 assists per game. She also led the country with six triple doubles while ranking fourth with 24 double doubles. She was also named the National Player of the Year by the Associated Press, USA Today, ESPN.com, The Athletic, the Sporting News, and the Naismith award. Her other national honors include the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year, Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, Wade Trophy, and the Honda Sport Award. Clark led the Hawkeyes to their second straight National Championship appearance while becoming the first Division-I player to record 1,000+ points in back-to-back season.
Five of the 16 members of the Academic All-America® Division I women's basketball teams boast a perfect 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate work or graduate school. The five members of the first team have an average GPA of 3.73, with the entire Division I team holding a collective average GPA of 3.77.
Four other student-athletes join Clark as a repeat selection on the Academic All-America® Division I team. Ayoka Lee of Kansas State University also earns her third Academic All-America® honor after earning the honor in 2020-21 and 2021-22. The other repeat selections from last season were Mackenzie Holmes (Indiana University), Hannah Jump (Stanford University), and Elizabeth Kitley (Virginia Tech).
| FIRST TEAM | ||||
| Name | School | Yr. | GPA | Major |
| Georgia Amoore | Virginia Tech | Sr. | 3.56 | Sociology |
| Paige Bueckers | University of Connecticut | Jr. | 3.50 | Human Development & Family Sciences |
| Caitlin Clark (1)(4) | University of Iowa | Sr. | 3.64 | Marketing |
| Mackenzie Holmes (1) | Indiana University | Gr. | 3.62/3.64 | Human Development & Family Studies (U) |
| Elizabeth Kitley (1) | Virginia Tech | Gr. | 3.90/4.00 | Curriculum & Instruction |
| Ayoka Lee (4)(8) | Kansas State | Sr. | 3.90/3.85 | Masters in Couple & Family Counseling |
| SECOND TEAM | ||||
| Name | School | Yr. | GPA | Major |
| Raegan Beers | Oregon State | So. | 3.55 | Education |
| Kaitlyn Chen | Princeton University | Sr. | 3.54 | Medical Anthropology |
| Yvonne Ejim | Gonzaga University | Sr. | 3.55 | Human Physiology |
| Hannah Jump (2) | Stanford University | Gr. | 3.76 | Psychology |
| THIRD TEAM | ||||
| Name | School | Yr. | GPA | Major |
| Frida Formann | University of Colorado | Sr. | 4.00 | Environmental Studies |
| Shay Holle | The University of Texas at Austin | Sr. | 3.54/4.00 | Finance |
| Morgan Maly | Creighton University | Sr. | 3.95 | Exercise Science |
| Irene Murua | University of Detroit Mercy | Sr. | 4.00 | Mathematics |
| Rachael Rose | Wofford | Jr. | 3.86 | Psychology |
| Amy Velasco | Bowling Green State University | Jr. | 4.00 | Physical Education and Health Education |
(1) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2022-23
(2) – 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2022-23
(4) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2021-22
(8) – 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2020-21
NCAA Division II
A forward from Eastlake, Ohio, Samantha Pirosko has been named the Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year for Division II. The senior carries a 3.93 GPA while pursuing her bachelor's degree in health sciences. She was also named to the first team a season ago. Pirosko finished the year second in Division II in field goals (251) and free throws (223), while her 19.8 points per game were 10th. She led the Golden Knights to the Elite Eight and their third Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) tournament title in the last four seasons. She was named the WBCA and D2CCA National Player of the Year while also being named the PSAC West Women's Basketball Athlete of the Year and the D2CCA Atlantic Region Player of the Year. In her final season she set a new program record with 752 points on the year and finishes her career second in program history with 2,293 points.
Six of the 15 members of the Academic All-America® Division II women's basketball teams sustain an unblemished 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate work or graduate school. The five members of the first team have an average GPA of 3.96, with the entire Division II team maintaining a collective average GPA of 3.89.
There three repeat selections joining Pirosko on the Academic All-America® Division II team are Chloe Idoni (Ferris State University), Audrey Ramsey (University of Tampa) and Braelyn Wykle (Carson-Newman).
The Division II Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by the NCAA Division II national governance structure to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2023-24 Division II Academic All-America® program.
| FIRST TEAM | ||||
| Name | School | Yr. | GPA | Major |
| Kola Bad Bear | Montana State University Billings | Gr. | 4.00/4.00 | Community Health |
| Joey Batt | Minnesota State | Sr. | 3.97 | Elementary Education |
| Grace Foster | Lubbock Christian University | Jr. | 4.00 | Criminal Justice |
| Ashley Ingram | Texas Woman's University | Jr. | 3.87 | Kinesiology |
| Samantha Pirosko (1) | Gannon University | Sr. | 3.93 | Health Sciences |
| SECOND TEAM | ||||
| Name | School | Yr. | GPA | Major |
| Keeley Carter | Trevecca Nazarene University | Sr. | 3.95 | Science Education |
| Chloe Idoni (3) | Ferris State University | Sr. | 3.99 | Elementary Education |
| Audrey Ramsey (3) | University of Tampa | Gr. | 4.00/3.85 | Cybersecurity & Information Technology Management |
| Lexie Schneider | University of Mary | Gr. | 3.55/3.66 | Organizational Leadership |
| Ashley Steff*ck | Colorado School of Mines | Gr. | 3.69/4.00 | Engineering & Technology Management |
| Emilee Weakley | Frostburg State | So. | 3.93 | Business Administration |
| THIRD TEAM | ||||
| Name | School | Yr. | GPA | Major |
| Makaylee Kuhn | Northern Michigan University | Sr. | 4.00 | Environmental Studies |
| Olivia Reed | Colorado Mesa University | So. | 3.92 | Fitness & Health Promotion |
| Braelyn Wykle (2) | Carson-Newman | Gr. | 3.57/4.00 | Business Administration |
| Sam Yencha | Jefferson | Jr. | 3.88 | Biopsychology |
(1) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2022-23
(2)– 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2022-23
(3)– 3rd team Academic All-America® in 2022-23
NCAA Division III
Natalie Bruns earns the Academic All-America® of the Year for Division III, being named to the third team last season. The senior from St. Louis, Missouri, holds a 3.96 GPA as the forward pursues her degree in business & technology management. Bruns led NYU to the national championship and a perfect 31-0 record while being named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player. She was named the National Player of the Year and All-America from both the WBCA and D3hoops.com. The University Athletic Association Player of the Year finished the season averaging 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.16 blocks per game. She ranks fourth in the nation in total blocks (98), sixth in field goal shooting (59.3), and ninth in blocks per game. She became the 18th player in program history to reach 1,000 points while setting a new single-season program record for blocks.
Five of the 15 members of the Academic All-America® Division III women's basketball teams claim a perfect 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate work or graduate school. The five members of the first team have an average GPA of 3.97, with the entire Division III team retaining a collective average GPA of 3.91.
Joining Bruns as repeat selections on the Academic All-America® Division III team are Claire Brock (Emory University), Julie Baudendistel (Webster University), Elyce Knudsen (Millikin University), and Cassidy Perry (Gallaudet University). Brock is a three-time selection.
The Division III Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by the NCAA Division III national governance structure to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2023-24 Division III Academic All-America® program.
| FIRST TEAM | ||||
| Name | School | Yr. | GPA | Major |
| Claire Brock (1)(5) | Emory University | Gr. | 4.00/4.00 | Bioethics |
| Natalie Bruns (3) | New York University | Sr. | 3.96 | Business & Technology Management |
| Paris Kiser | Hardin-Simmons University | Gr. | 4.00/4.00 | Business |
| Elyce Knudsen (1) | Millikin University | Sr. | 3.90 | Finance |
| Cassidy Perry (2) | Gallaudet University | Sr. | 3.95 | Sociology |
| Kasey Schipfer | Ohio Wesleyan University | Sr. | 3.91 | Exercise Science & Psychology |
| SECOND TEAM | ||||
| Name | School | Yr. | GPA | Major |
| Lauren Huber | Illinois Wesleyan University | Jr. | 3.60 | Biology |
| Conley Langford | Mississippi University for Women | Jr. | 4.00 | Biology |
| Jaedon Murphy | Wartburg College | Sr. | 3.92 | Business Administration |
| Zoe Tomlinson | Colorado College | Jr. | 3.94 | Mathematical Economics |
| THIRD TEAM | ||||
| Name | School | Yr. | GPA | Major |
| Julie Baudendistel (2) | Webster University | Gr. | 3.98/4.00 | Business Administration (G) |
| Gwendolyn Carpenter | Framingham State University | Sr. | 3.99 | Biology & Neuroscience |
| Aleah Grundahl | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | Sr. | 3.50 | Elementary Education |
| Parris Parmer | Hardin-Simmons University | Gr. | 4.00/4.00 | Exercise Science |
| Olivia Rangel | Carroll University | Jr. | 3.73 | Communications & Spanish |
(1) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2022-23
(2)– 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2022-23
(3)– 3rd team Academic All-America® in 2022-23
(5) – 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2021-22
NAIA
Grace Beyer becomes the first player in the history of the Women's Basketball Academic All-America® program to earn the Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year honor three consecutive seasons. The graduate student from Eagle, Wisconsin, maintains a 3.89 GPA while pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree after earning her undergraduate degree also in pharmacy with a 3.97 GPA. For the fourth straight season, Beyer led the NAIA in points per game, averaging 35.0 for the season. Her 1,051 points gave her 3,961 for her career, breaking the 34-year-old NAIA record. This season she not only led the NAIA in points per game, but also field goals (306-662) and free throws (375-403), while ranking second in the nation in free throw percentage (93.1). She was named the American Midwest Conference (AMC) Player of the Year for the third straight year. During the regular season, she was named the AMC Player of the Week 10 times and was twice named the NAIA National Player of the Week.
Five of the 11 members of the Academic All-America® NAIA women's basketball teams maintain an impeccable 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate work or graduate school. The five members of the first team have an average GPA of 3.93, with the entire NAIA team carrying a collective average GPA of 3.90.
The other repeat selection on the Academic All-America® NAIA team joining Beyer is Olivia Sprague (Oregon Tech), who earned first team honors last season.
The NAIA Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by the NAIA national governance structure to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2023-24 NAIA Academic All-America® program.
| FIRST TEAM | ||||
| Name | School | Yr. | GPA | Major |
| Grace Beyer (1)(4) | University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy | Gr. | 3.97/3.89 | Pharmacy |
| Sandra Cannady | Loyola University New Orleans | Gr. | 4.00/4.00 | Business Administration (G) |
| Lilli Frasure | Indiana Wesleyan University | Jr. | 3.97 | Elementary Education |
| Ashlee Maldonado | University of Providence | Jr. | 4.00/4.00 | Organizational Leadership |
| Jamie Pickens | Carroll College | Gr. | 3.57 | Nursing & Health Sciences |
| SECOND TEAM | ||||
| Name | School | Yr. | GPA | Major |
| Jessica Carrothers | Indiana University Northwest | So. | 3.67 | Criminal Justice |
| Mak Hatcliff | Doane University | Jr. | 3.82 | Pre-Medicine |
| Bekki Kalaydjiev | Southeastern University | Gr. | 3.90/4.00 | Kinesiology (G) |
| Olivia Sprague (2) | Oregon Tech | Jr. | 4.00 | Dental Hygiene |
| Callie Stevens | Lewis-Clark State College | Sr. | 3.69 | Business Informatics |
| Jordan Sweeney | Montana Western | Sr. | 4.00 | Education Studies |
(1) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2022-23
(2)– 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2022-23
(4) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2021-22
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jeff Schwartz, Retired, North Dakota State University | Academic All-America® Co-Director for Publicity
Schwartzy2@yahoo.com | (701) 793-0538
Brian Alden, University of South Carolina | Academic All-America® Coordinator of Publicity
aldenb@mailbox.sc.edu | (803) 777-1516
