Lauren Whittaker Named To Midseason Watch List for Becky Hammon Player of the Year Award

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Gonzaga freshman Lauren Whittaker has been named to the midseason watch list for the Becky Hammon Player of the Year Award presented by Her Hoop Stats. 
 
Whittaker is the only freshman on the award’s midseason watch list this season and one of just four freshmen to be named on any of the watch lists in the award’s history. The other three are Dyaisha Fair (Buffalo – 2020 Midseason), Lexi Fleming (Bowling Green – 2021 Midseason) and Meghan Andersen (Fairfield – 2024 Midseason and Semifinalist).
 
Whittaker leads the West Coast Conference in scoring (19.3 ppg), rebounding (10.2 rpg) and field goal percentage (.575). She leads all freshmen nationally and is tied for ninth overall with 10 double-doubles on the season. Whittaker is 17th nationally in total points (386) and 28th in the country in points per game. The forward is 12th nationally in total rebounds (203) and 24th in the country in rebounds per game. Whittaker also ranks eighth nationally in defensive rebounds per game (8.3), 21st in field goals made (142), 24th in field goal percentage and 44th in free throws made (77). 
 
Whittaker, who was recognized in November as a Kay Yow Servant Leader, ranks in the top three among freshmen nationally in nine categories. Along with double-doubles, she ranks first nationally among freshmen in field goal percentage and defensive rebounds. The forward ranks second among freshmen nationally in points, points per game, rebounds, defensive rebounds per game and field goals made. She is third among freshmen nationally in free throws made. 
 
Whittaker has been named the West Coast Conference Freshman of the Week eight times this season, including each of the last five weeks. She owns nine conference weekly awards overall, also earning West Coast Conference Player of the Week honors on Dec. 22. Whittaker was named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) Tamika Catchings National Freshman of the Week on Dec. 23. 
 
The 15-person Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award midseason watch list also includes Meredith Mayes (Abilene Christian), Kaety L’Amoreaux (Fairfield), Rhema Collins (FIU), Zahirah Walton (George Mason), Peyton McDaniel (James Madison), Taylee Chirrick (Montana St.), Sharnecce Currie-Jelks (Murray St.), Zanai Barnett-Gay (Navy), Avery Koenen (North Dakota St.), Maggie Doogan (Richmond), Brooklyn Meyer (South Dakota St.), Jada Wynn (UC Irvine), Nikola Priede (Vermont), Mia Nicastro (Western Ill.)
 
Gonzaga’s Yvonne Ejim was the recipient of the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year award in 2024 and was a finalist last season. Gonzaga has the most players named to at least one watch list in the award’s history with six.