Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Duo Named to USBWA Watch Lists
November 05, 2025 | Cowgirl Basketball
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State's women's basketball team had a pair of players garner early-season recognition this week from the U.S. Basketball Writers Association with Stailee Heard appearing on the Ann Meyers Drysdale Watch List and Lena Girardi being named to the Tamika Catchings Award Watch List.
Heard was one of 50 players to appear on the player of the year list, while Girardi was among 20 standouts on the top freshman list.
The Ann Meyers Drysdale Award is presented annually to the women's national player of the year by the USBWA. Named for the legendary UCLA guard, the award was first presented in the 1987-88 season and formally named in Meyers Drysdale's honor in the 2011-12 season.
The USBWA has named a national freshman player of the year since the 1991-92 season. In the 2020-21 season the award was named for Tamika Catchings, the legendary Tennessee star who was a three-time USBWA All-American and the association's national freshman player of the year in the 1997-98 season.
At the conclusion of the regular season, the USBWA will name finalists for the awards, which are voted on by the entire membership. The winners will be announced at the 2026 Women's Final Four in Phoenix, with the formal presentation to follow at the annual USBWA Awards Luncheon hosted by the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis.
Heard was one of 50 players to appear on the player of the year list, while Girardi was among 20 standouts on the top freshman list.
The Ann Meyers Drysdale Award is presented annually to the women's national player of the year by the USBWA. Named for the legendary UCLA guard, the award was first presented in the 1987-88 season and formally named in Meyers Drysdale's honor in the 2011-12 season.
The USBWA has named a national freshman player of the year since the 1991-92 season. In the 2020-21 season the award was named for Tamika Catchings, the legendary Tennessee star who was a three-time USBWA All-American and the association's national freshman player of the year in the 1997-98 season.
At the conclusion of the regular season, the USBWA will name finalists for the awards, which are voted on by the entire membership. The winners will be announced at the 2026 Women's Final Four in Phoenix, with the formal presentation to follow at the annual USBWA Awards Luncheon hosted by the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis.
Players Mentioned
Guard
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