TAMPA, Fla. (USBWA) After a landmark season of dominating the scoreboards, Ohio State's 5-8 guard Kelsey Mitchell has become an overwhelming choice of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association to be named National Freshman of the Year.
Mitchell's honor comes after becoming just the fourth freshman and first since UConn great Maya Moore in 2008 to be named to the USBWA 10-member All-America team.
The native of Cincinnati twice in the past several months picked up the USBWA rookie honor in the first season that a freshman of the week for women was designated.
The USBWA began handing out the national freshman award in 2003-04 but as the 13th recipient, Mitchell is the first honoree from Ohio State and the Big Ten Conference.
Other Buckeyes who also have been named USBWA All-Americans include Jessica Davenport, Tracey Hall, Jantel Lavender, Samantha Prahalis, and Katie Smith.
"This is a tremendous honor for Kelsey as she has worked so hard this entire season. I couldn't be more proud to be her coach and to have her be a part of The Ohio State University," said Buckeyes coach Kevin McGuff.
Mitchell, who was also the Big Ten Co-Player of the Year, became the first freshman to lead the country in scoring as she rose to the top of the Division I category with a 24.9 points per game average, collecting both an Ohio State and Big 10 record total of 873 points.
She also showed her long-range skill setting an NCAA single season record connecting on 127 three-pointers. Mitchell also dished off for 146 assists. In all, she produced 42.6 percent of the Buckeyes' scoring offense, which was ranked fifth in the country.
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. For more information on the USBWA and its award programs, contact executive director Joe Mitch at 314-795-6821.