Duke freshman center Elizabeth Williams was named a finalist for the John R. Wooden award given to the nation's top women's basketball player.
Williams, the ACC rookie and defensive player of the year, joins 14 players on the final list. The Virginia Beach native is the only freshman on the list.
Voting begins March 12 and the 36th Wooden Award Gala will be held on April 6.
Williams, also an All-ACC first-team selections, set the ACC single-season record for blocks (109) and ranks second in the nation with 3.8 per game. She also averaged 14.3 points and 8.3 rebounds.
Other finalists include: Elena Delle Donne (Delaware), Skylar Diggins (Notre Dame), Brittney Griner (Baylor), Tiffany Hayes (UConn), Shenise Johnson (Miami), A'dia Mathies (Kentucky), Chiney Ogwumike (Stanford), Nnemkadi Ogwumike (Stanford), Samantha Prahalis (Ohio State), Odyssey Sims (Baylor), Shekinna Stricklen (Tennessee), Alyssa Thomas (Maryland), Riquna Williams (Miami) and Julie Wojta (Green Bay).
Edward joined the News & Observer staff in 2004. He is a graduate of American University and Johns Hopkins University. He covers Wake Forest football and women's college basketball for the N&O. Edward is a native of Washington, D.C. He can be reached at 829-4781 or