Shenise Johnson Named Naismith Trophy Midseason Candidate

March 1, 2010

CORAL GABLES – The University of Miami’s Shenise Johnson has been named a midseason candidate for the 2010 Naismith Trophy presented by AT&T, as announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. The Naismith Trophy is presented annually to the nation’s top collegiate player.

Johnson, a Henrietta, N.Y. native, has had another remarkable season for the Hurricanes in her sophomore year. She scored 18.6 points and led the `Canes with 7.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.1 steals per game.

“I am very excited that Moe (Johnson) is getting the national recognition she deserves,” said Miami head coach Katie Meier. “She is, without a doubt, one of the most versatile players in the country and is the program-changer that we need here at Miami.”

Johnson was originally one of 50 candidates nominated by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors, who narrowed the preseason list to 30 to the current candidates. The final ballot will be voted on in March. Johnson is the first Miami player since Tamara James in 2004 to be named to the prestigious list.

The Atlantic Coast Conference placed three women on the midseason list, as Johnson joins, Duke’s Jasmine Thomas and Virginia’s Monica Wright.

The Hurricanes finished the 2009-10 regular season with a 17-12 overall record, four games better than last season. Miami is postseason eligible for the first time since the 2005-06 season.