IRVING, Texas (AP) — Olivia Miles was named the Big 12 player of the year and newcomer of the year on Tuesday after helping lead No. 10 TCU to its second consecutive outright regular-season conference championship.
It was the second year in a row that the 16 Big 12 coaches tabbed the same TCU player for both of those awards. Hailey Van Lith was the first player in the league’s 30-season history to take both honors last year, when the Horned Frogs won the Big 12 regular-season and tournament championships for the first time before advancing to the NCAA Sweet 16.
Miles, who transferred to TCU for her final college season after five years at Notre Dame, goes into the Big 12 Tournament averaging a career-high 20.1 points a game, along with 6.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.9 steals. She has had an NCAA-leading five triple-doubles this season.
Texas Tech’s Krista Gerlich, who is in her sixth season, was chosen by her peers as the league’s top coach. The No. 21 Lady Raiders ‘ 25 wins are already their most since a 25-win season in 2003-04.
Kansas forward Jaliya Davis was the unanimous choice for freshman of the year, after winning nine consecutive freshmen of the week awards during the season. Her 21.0 points per game are the most for a freshman nationally.
No. 15 West Virginia guard Jordan Harrison was named the defensive player of the year, and Texas Tech guard Snudda Collins was tabbed the sixth player of the year.
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