Tampa, Fla. Oct. 17, 2023 – University of South Florida senior guard Sammie Puisis is one of 20 players named to the 2024 Ann Myers-Drysdale preseason watch list, announced today by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association.
Puisis averaged 15.5 ppg and 4.1 rpg last season while starting 33-of-34 contests. The Mason, Ohio native put up double-figures in all but five contests and had 11 20-plus point outings. She finished the 2022-23 season with 109 3-point field goals made, the third most in a single season in program history and fifth all-time in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). Puisis finished last season ranked fifth nationally in three-point field goals per game (3.21) and total three-pointers made (109).
Entering the upcoming campaign, Puisis was named to the AAC Preseason All-Conference First Team.
THE ANN MEYERS-DRYSDALE AWARD
This award is named for UCLA Women’s Basketball legend, Ann Meyers Drysdale. She was the first player, male or female, to earn All-America honors in four straight years (1975-78) and helped lead the Bruins to an AIAW National Championship in 1978. She was the first player drafted into the Women’s Basketball League and became the first woman to try out with an NBA team, as she signed a free agent contract with the Indiana Pacers in 1980. She was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993 and has had a successful career as an executive in the WNBA. She is currently a Vice President for the Phoenix Mercury and a commentator for the Phoenix Suns.
FAN VOTING
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 Ann Myers-Drysdale Award will be narrowed to 10, and then in late February to just five. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Myers-Drysdale and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee, where a winner will be selected.
MEYERS-DRYSDALE AWARD PRESENTATION
The 2024 Ann Myers-Drysdale winner will be presented on a to be determined date, along with the other four members of the Women’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Nancy Lieberman Award (Point Guard), Cheryl Miller Award (Small Forward), Katrina McClain Award (Power Forward) and the Lisa Leslie Award (Center), in addition to the Men’s Starting Five.
ANN MEYERS-DRYSDALE PRESEASON TOP-20 WATCH LIST
Gianna Kneepkens, Jr., Utah
Charisma Osborne, Gr., UCLA
Jaz Shelley, Gr., Nebraska
Charlisse Leger-Walker, Sr., Washington St.
Ta’Niya Latson, So., Florida St.
Celeste Taylor, Sr., Ohio State
Gabby Gregory, Gr., Kansas St.
Hailey Van Lith, Gr., LSU
Sara Scallia, Gr., Indiana
Laila Phelia, Jr., Michigan
Ashley Owusu, Sr., Penn St.
Quinesha Lockett, Gr., Toledo
Brynna Maxwell, Gr., Gonzaga
Shaylee Gonzales, Gr., Texas
Hannah Jump, Gr., Stanford
Abbey Hsu, Sr., Columbia
Paige Bueckers, R. Jr., UConn
Sonia Citron, Jr., Notre Dame
JJ Quinerly, Jr., West Virginia
Sammie Puisis, Sr., USF
MEYERS-DRYSDALE AWARD HISTORY
Previous winners of the Ann Meyers-Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year Award are Zia Cooke, South Carolina (2023), Christyn Williams, UConn (2022), Ashley Owusu, Maryland (2021), Aari McDonald, Arizona (2020), Asia Durr, Louisville (2019), and Victoria Vivians, Missippi St. (2018). For more information on the 2024 Ann Myers-Drysdale Award and the latest updates, visit hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophall on Twitter and Instagram.
TICKETS
Fans can purchase women’s basketball tickets by calling 1-800-GoBulls or at USFBullsTix.com.
ABOUT USF WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
For complete coverage of USF women’s basketball, follow the Bulls on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram).
South Florida women’s basketball recorded its 11th 20-win season during the 2022-23 campaign. USF has made 18 postseason tournament appearances and had nine NCAA Tournament berths in head coach Jose Fernandez’s 23 seasons. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Fernandez has guided USF to 11 20-win seasons, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2009 WNIT championship, has won over 400 career games, and is the all-time wins leader in the American Athletic Conference.
In 2022-23, the Bulls had four players recognized by The American for impressive seasons, including Elena Tsineke (AAC Co-Player of the Year, All-Conference First Team), Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu (AAC Co-Player of the Year, All-Conference First Team), Sammie Puisis (AAC Newcomer of the Year, All-Conference Second Team) and Carla Brito (AAC All-Freshman Team).
– #GoBulls –
