Nwagbaraocha Selected as Second-Team All-American

William Penn University Athletics

by Wade Steinlage

Oskaloosa–Vashti Nwagbaraocha (Jr., Milwaukee, Wis., Exercise Science) reached a pinnacle of success no player in the program has reached in nearly three decades as the Division I Women’s Basketball All-America teams were announced Thursday.

Nwagbaraocha was tabbed as a Second-Team All-American, while a total of 67 individuals receiving A-A recognition. Ten players were picked for each on the top three teams and 37 more were on the honorable-mention crew.

Nwagbaraocha is the first First-Team or Second-Team women’s basketball All-American since Nick Baldwin was a First-Team pick in 1990-1991. She is the program’s 20th All-American all-time; WPU has now had an A-A in each of the last three campaigns.

DaJonee Hale of Central Methodist was named the NAIA’s National Player of the Year, while Head Coach Dale Neal of Freed-Hardman (Tenn.) earned Coach of the Year honors.

A first-team all-Heart of America Athletic Conference performer, Nwagbaraocha notches her first All-America laurel after guiding William Penn to a 23-9 record and a second-straight trip to the NAIA National Championships.

The junior, who joined the 1,000-Point Club this season, topped WPU in points (16.1 per game), rebounds (8.1 per game), steals (69 total), and blocks (19 total), while also tallying 54 assists. She shot 57.5% from the field and 71.2% from the free-throw line.

Nwagbaraocha was fourth in NAIA Division I in field-goal percentage and 20th in total points (516). The junior ends the season ranked fifth on the program’s single-season list with 184 free throws attempted; she is also now sixth with 131 free throws made and eighth in field-goal percentage.

For the complete list of NAIA Division I All-Americans, go to http://www.naia.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27900&ATCLID=211707322