Rhyne Howard tabbed finalist for WBCA Wade Trophy

The Wade Trophy is the most prestigious Player of the Year award out there for women’s college basketball, so of course, Rhyne Howard is in contention.

On Thursday morning, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced its four finalists for the 2022 Wade Trophy: Howard (Kentucky), Aliyah Boston (South Carolina), Caitlin Clark (Iowa), and 2021 winner NaLyssa Smith (Baylor). Now in its 45th year, the Wade Trophy honor is handed out annually to the best overall player in women’s college basketball. The award is named after Delta State University head coach Lily Margaret Wade, who won three consecutive national titles with the Lady Statesmen from 1975-77.

A winner will be announced on Thursday, March 31.

🔟 is in the running for another 🏆@howard_rhyne has been named a finalist for the @WBCA1981 Wade Trophy!

📃 https://t.co/3b5qDH17BU#CommitToIt x #CrownHer 👑 pic.twitter.com/Y1KaGNnxOA

— Kentucky WBB (@KentuckyWBB) March 24, 2022

Howard has already been named a consensus First-Team All-American for her senior year efforts, making her just the ninth player ever to earn three First-Team All-American honors by the AP. That’s not all, though. Over the last few weeks, the 6-foot-2 native of Cleveland, TN has been named a finalist for the 2022 Cheryl Miller Award (nation’s top small forward), one of 10 semifinalists for the Naismith Trophy Women’s National Player of the Year, on the national ballot for the Wooden Award, and a finalist for the Dawn Staley Award (most outstanding college guard).

In what was her final season as a Wildcat in 2021-22, Howard posted averages of 20.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks on a shooting split of 44.1/38.3/80.8. Howard is currently projected by ESPN as the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming 2022 WNBA Draft. Unfortunately, Kentucky suffered another early-round exit in the NCAA Tournament, this time at the hands of Princeton, cutting her final ride with the ‘Cats a bit short.

But regardless, Howard has already cemented her status as one of the greatest basketball players — male or female — to ever come through the Kentucky program.

Wade Trophy past winners

2021 – NaLyssa Smith, Baylor University
2020 – Sabrina Ionescu, Oregon
2019 – Sabrina Ionescu, Oregon
2018 –  A’ja Wilson, South Carolina
2017 – Kelsey Plum, Washington
2016 – Breanna Stewart, Connecticut
2015 – Breanna Stewart, Connecticut
2014 – Odyssey Sims, Baylor
2013 – Brittney Griner, Baylor
2012 – Brittney Griner, Baylor
2011 – Maya Moore, Connecticut
2010 – Maya Moore, Connecticut
2009 – Maya Moore, Connecticut
2008 – Candice Wiggins, Stanford
2007 – Candace Parker, Tennessee
2006 – Seimone Augustus, LSU
2005 – Seimone Augustus, LSU
2004 – Alana Beard, Duke
2003 – Diana Taurasi, Connecticut
2002 – Sue Bird, Connecticut
2001 – Jackie Stiles, Southwest Missouri State
2000 – Edwina Brown, Texas
1999 – Stephanie White-McCarty, Purdue
1998 – Ticha Penicheiro, Old Dominion
1997 – DeLisha Milton, Florida
1996 – Jennifer Rizzotti, Connecticut
1995 – Rebecca Lobo, Connecticut
1994 – Carol Ann Shudlick, Minnesota
1993 – Karen Jennings, Nebraska
1992 – Susan Robinson, Penn State
1991 – Daedra Charles, Tennessee
1990 – Jennifer Azzi, Stanford
1989 – Clarissa Davis, Texas
1988 – Teresa Weatherspoon, Louisiana Tech
1987 – Shelly Pennefather, Villanova
1986 – Kamie Ethridge, Texas
1985 – Cheryl Miller, USC
1984 – Janice Lawrence, Louisiana Tech
1983 – LaTaunya Pollard, Long Beach State
1982 – Pam Kelly, Louisiana Tech
1981 – Lynette Woodard, Kansas
1980 – Nancy Lieberman, Old Dominion
1979 – Nancy Lieberman, Old Dominion
1978 – Carol Blazejowski, Montclair State