Penn named to Naismith Top 30
By: Aaron Bennett
Updated: February 27, 2013
CHAMPAIGN, Ill.
(UI Release) - University of Illinois senior forward Karisma Penn was named to the
list of top 30 candidates for the Naismith Women's College Player of the
Year Award, announced Wednesday by the
Atlanta Tipoff Club. Penn has had a remarkable season to this point, as
she is the only player to rank in the top five in the Big Ten in
scoring, rebounding, steals, blocked shots and field-goal percentage.
She is one of six Big Ten players on the list. The
list will be narrowed to four in late March, with the winner being
announced on April 8.
Penn is averaging
19.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 2.2 blocks per game, and has
started all of Illinois' 26 games. She has led the Illini to a 16-10
record with a 9-5 mark in the Big Ten that currently
stands tied for third in the conference standings. Illinois has won six
of its last eight games and is in pursuit of its first NCAA Tournament
berth since 2003.
Penn is the only
post player in the top 10 in the Big Ten in scoring (fourth), steals
(second) and minutes played (35.8, ninth), and she ranks in the top 35
in the nation in scoring (34th), blocks (28th),
steals (31st) and field-goal percentage (33rd).
