ATLANTA (January 25, 2019) – The Atlanta Tipoff Club released the midseason list of players to watch for the Naismith Women's Defensive Player of the Year Award presented by Bona. Included on the list is Teaira McCowan of Mississippi State, who looks to repeat after taking home the inaugural award in 2018.
"We're excited to see some familiar names of players who have a reputation for defending the court," said Eric Oberman, executive director of the Atlanta Tipoff Club. "Each of these players possesses a defensive tenacity and drive that make them worthy of consideration for the second presentation of this award."
Virginia Tech forward Regan Magarity is one of the 15 student-athletes on the midseason list. This season Magarity has been dominating the defensive glass, ranking third in the nation in defensive rebounds with 188, nearly 10 per contest. Magarity is seventh nationally in total rebounds and first in the ACC, averaging 12.3 rebounds per game.
In December she pulled down a career best 18 rebounds in the Hokies' rout of Longwood.
The program's all-time leading rebounder, Magarity eclipsed the 1,000-rebound mark earlier in the season, during the Hokies' win over Mount St. Mary's on Dec. 16, 2018.
Magarity ranks third all-time in Virginia Tech history in blocks (159) and is 3rd in the ACC in that category this season, averaging 1.7 per game.
Thirteen of the players on the list represent Power 5 schools. Magarity is joined by Notre Dame's Brianna Turner as the two ACC players on the list.
The entire watch list in alphabetical order can be found below:
Kristine Anigwe (California)
Shakira Austin (Maryland)
Chastadie Barrs (Lamar)
Kenisha Bell (Minnesota)
Kalani Brown (Baylor)
Lauren Cox (Baylor)
Channon Fluker (CSUN)
Megan Gustafson (Iowa)
Ae'Rianna Harris (Purdue)
Anriel Howard (Mississippi State)
Regan Magarity (Virginia Tech)
Teaira McCowan (Mississippi State)
Taylor Murray (Kentucky)
Caliya Robinson (Georgia)
Brianna Turner (Notre Dame)
The semifinalists for the award will be announced in Februrary.
Magarity and the Hokies are back on Carilion Clinic Court on Sunday, Jan. 27 to face the No. 22 Florida State Seminoles. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. and can be seen on ACC Network Extra.