IRVING, Texas — Hailey Van Lith has made a significant impact on the Big 12 Conference, earning both Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors in her debut season with the TCU Horned Frogs. After transferring to TCU for her final college season, Van Lith has demonstrated exceptional skill and leadership, making history as the first athlete in the 29-year history of the conference to win both accolades in the same year. The announcement came from the Big 12 on Tuesday, following a vote by the league’s 16 head coaches.
In addition to Van Lith’s personal achievements, TCU’s success this season also extends to their head coach, Mark Campbell, who was named Coach of the Year. Under his guidance, the Horned Frogs clinched the regular-season title for the first time since joining the league 13 seasons ago. Prior to her time at TCU, Van Lith was instrumental in taking LSU to the NCAA Elite Eight last season and played a pivotal role during her three years at Louisville, which included a Final Four appearance and another Elite Eight. Currently, she averages 17.6 points and 5.4 assists per game for TCU.
The conference also recognized other standout players. BYU guard Delaney Gibb was named the league’s Freshman of the Year unanimously. Gibb has been an offensive force, averaging 17.5 points and 4.2 assists. West Virginia guard JJ Quinerly earned the distinction of Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, a feat not achieved since Baylor’s Lauren Cox did so in the 2018-19 seasons. Additionally, Yaya Fielder, a senior guard from Baylor, was honored as the Sixth Player of the Year.
These awards underscore not only individual excellence but also highlight the depth of talent present in the Big 12 this season. The exceptional performances of these athletes have contributed significantly to their teams’ successes and further elevate the competitive nature of the conference.
