Maly and Ronsiek Named to Katrina McClain Watch List
10/19/2023 12:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Omaha, Neb. -- Creighton seniors Morgan Maly and Emma Ronsiek were named to the 2024 Katrina McClain Award Watch List, designed to honor the top power forward in NCAA Division I women's college basketball.
Announced on Thursday, Oct. 19 by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the women's basketball coaches association, the Katrina McClain Watch List was named after the two-time All-American and 1987 National Player of the Year, the annual award in its seventh year recognizes the top power forwards in women's NCAA Division I college basketball. A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates.
Both Maly and Ronsiek added exciting work with the U.S. National Team to their already impressive resumes over the summer. The duo were part of a Bluejay quartet (teamed with Lauren Jensen and Molly Mogensen) to win the 2023 National 3x3 Championship in May. Maly earned the MVP of that tournament in Colorado Springs, Colo. and was selected to play for Team USA's U21 squad in China (June), Canada (July) and Mongolia (September), eventually claiming the Nations League Championship and another MVP honor in September. Ronsiek earned an opportunity to participate in the 2023 USA AmeriCup Team Trials in May.
During the 2022-23 season Maly was Creighton's second leading scorer with 454 points and led Creighton with 191 rebounds. An All-BIG EAST First Team selection, Maly started all 31 games for the Bluejays, hitting 69 three-pointers. After entering college as primarily a deep threat, Maly developed into a dangerous scoring option in the post, delivering 100 made field goals inside the arc.
Despite lining up at the center position to open every game, Ronsiek may be the epitome of position-less basketball. She is often asked to score in the box, defend the post, shoot from beyond the arc and also shares time bringing the ball up for the Bluejays to initiate the offense. She closed the season third on the team with 410 points, dished out 93 assists to rank third for Creighton and was second with 164 rebounds. The South Dakota native connected on 48 treys, grabbed 42 offensive rebounds, grabbed 30 steals and connected for 107 interior field goals.
"The tandem of Maly and Ronsiek make our team very hard to prepare for both on the offensive and defensive ends," said head coach Jim Flanery. "Each of them are special players and we are incredibly fortunate to have them on our side."
The BIG EAST Conference is represented by three players on the 20-woman list as joining Maly and Ronsiek is Aalyah Edwards (UConn). The BIG EAST's own Maddy Siegirst (Villanova) won the 2023 honor.
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, in each of the three rounds starting Friday, October 20. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2024 Katrina McClain Award will be narrowed to 10, and then in late February to just five. In March, the five finalists will be presented to McClain and the Hall of Fame's selection committee, where a winner will be selected.
"We're proud to recognize these incredible student-athletes who have shown many skills that made Katrina McClain the standout she was and have proven themselves the best at their position," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. "As we launch our fan voting component tomorrow, we encourage fans to vote alongside Katrina and our distinguished selection committee."
2024 Katrina McClain Award Candidates*
Esmery Martinez Arizona
Dre'Una Edwards Baylor
Darianna Littlepage-Buggs Baylor
Lauren Gustin BYU
Quay Miller Colorado
Emma Ronsiek Creighton
Morgan Maly Creighton
Olivia Cochran Louisville
Angel Reese LSU
Erynn Barnum Mississippi State
Mimi Collins NC State
Maddy Westbeld Notre Dame
Addie Budnik Richmond
Sania Feagin South Carolina
Aaliyah Moore Texas
DeYona Gaston Texas
Janiah Barker Texas A&M
Aaliyah Edwards UConn
Alissa Pili Utah
Sam Brunelle Virginia
*Players can play their way onto and off the list at any point in the 2023-24 season
Announced on Thursday, Oct. 19 by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the women's basketball coaches association, the Katrina McClain Watch List was named after the two-time All-American and 1987 National Player of the Year, the annual award in its seventh year recognizes the top power forwards in women's NCAA Division I college basketball. A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates.
Both Maly and Ronsiek added exciting work with the U.S. National Team to their already impressive resumes over the summer. The duo were part of a Bluejay quartet (teamed with Lauren Jensen and Molly Mogensen) to win the 2023 National 3x3 Championship in May. Maly earned the MVP of that tournament in Colorado Springs, Colo. and was selected to play for Team USA's U21 squad in China (June), Canada (July) and Mongolia (September), eventually claiming the Nations League Championship and another MVP honor in September. Ronsiek earned an opportunity to participate in the 2023 USA AmeriCup Team Trials in May.
During the 2022-23 season Maly was Creighton's second leading scorer with 454 points and led Creighton with 191 rebounds. An All-BIG EAST First Team selection, Maly started all 31 games for the Bluejays, hitting 69 three-pointers. After entering college as primarily a deep threat, Maly developed into a dangerous scoring option in the post, delivering 100 made field goals inside the arc.
Despite lining up at the center position to open every game, Ronsiek may be the epitome of position-less basketball. She is often asked to score in the box, defend the post, shoot from beyond the arc and also shares time bringing the ball up for the Bluejays to initiate the offense. She closed the season third on the team with 410 points, dished out 93 assists to rank third for Creighton and was second with 164 rebounds. The South Dakota native connected on 48 treys, grabbed 42 offensive rebounds, grabbed 30 steals and connected for 107 interior field goals.
"The tandem of Maly and Ronsiek make our team very hard to prepare for both on the offensive and defensive ends," said head coach Jim Flanery. "Each of them are special players and we are incredibly fortunate to have them on our side."
The BIG EAST Conference is represented by three players on the 20-woman list as joining Maly and Ronsiek is Aalyah Edwards (UConn). The BIG EAST's own Maddy Siegirst (Villanova) won the 2023 honor.
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, in each of the three rounds starting Friday, October 20. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2024 Katrina McClain Award will be narrowed to 10, and then in late February to just five. In March, the five finalists will be presented to McClain and the Hall of Fame's selection committee, where a winner will be selected.
"We're proud to recognize these incredible student-athletes who have shown many skills that made Katrina McClain the standout she was and have proven themselves the best at their position," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. "As we launch our fan voting component tomorrow, we encourage fans to vote alongside Katrina and our distinguished selection committee."
2024 Katrina McClain Award Candidates*
Esmery Martinez Arizona
Dre'Una Edwards Baylor
Darianna Littlepage-Buggs Baylor
Lauren Gustin BYU
Quay Miller Colorado
Emma Ronsiek Creighton
Morgan Maly Creighton
Olivia Cochran Louisville
Angel Reese LSU
Erynn Barnum Mississippi State
Mimi Collins NC State
Maddy Westbeld Notre Dame
Addie Budnik Richmond
Sania Feagin South Carolina
Aaliyah Moore Texas
DeYona Gaston Texas
Janiah Barker Texas A&M
Aaliyah Edwards UConn
Alissa Pili Utah
Sam Brunelle Virginia
*Players can play their way onto and off the list at any point in the 2023-24 season
Players Mentioned
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