The Wade Trophy has always been a prestigious award for the women college basketball players under NCAA Division I. Named after the late legendary women’s basketball coach, Lily Margaret Wade, who made her team the Delta State Lady Statesmen three time champions during her tenure, this award honors the skills that the female basketball players show during their games.
The Wade Trophy made its debut in 1978 as the Women’s National Player of the Year Award in college basketball. Since then, State Farm Insurance has been sponsoring and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) has been awarding it to the winners throughout the years. For the award, a player’s skills, leadership , teamwork, characteristics, game stats and membership of the NCAA Division I WBCA Coaches’ All-America team are checked.
Several universities like UConn, Baylor, Texas, Old Dominion and Louisiana Tech have already achieved this award multiple times in their career. 2024 will once again see a new women's college basketball player be presented with this award.
Who are the Finalists of the Wade Trophy in 2024?
The finalist list of the 2024 Wade Trophy has not been revealed by WBCA yet. However, they have presented the watchlist for the most talented players being considered for this award.
The below table presents the watchlist for the 2024 Wade Trophy along with their teams, positions, height and year.
| Name | College Basketball Team | Position | Height | Year |
| Georgia Amoore | Virginia Tech Hokies | Guard | 5’6” | Senior |
| Cameron Brink | Stanford Cardinal | Forward | 6’4” | Senior |
| Paige Bueckers | UConn Huskies | Guard | 6’0” | RS-Senior |
| Kamilla Cardoso | South Carolina Gamecocks | Center | 6’7” | Senior |
| Caitlin Clark | Iowa Hawkeyes | Guard | 6’0” | Senior |
| Aaliyah Edwards | UConn Huskies | Forward | 6’3” | Senior |
| Yvonne Ejim | Gonzaga Bulldogs | Forward | 6’1” | Senior |
| Rori Harmon | Texas Longhorns | Guard | 5’6” | Junior |
| Hannah Hidalgo | Notre Dame Fighting Irish | Guard | 5’6” | Freshman |
| Mackenzie Holmes | Indiana Hoosiers | Forward | 6’3” | Graduate |
| Rickea Jackson | Tennessee Lady Volunteers | Forward | 6”2” | 5th year |
| Elizabeth Kitley | Virginia Tech Hokies | Center | 6’6” | Graduate |
| Ta’Niya Latson | Florida State Seminoles | Guard | 5’8” | Sophomore |
| Ayoka Lee | Kansas State Wildcats | Center | 6’6” | Senior |
| Olivia Miles | Notre Dame Fighting Irish | Guard | 5’10” | Junior |
| Aneesah Morrow | LSU Lady Tigers | Guard | 6’1” | Junior |
| Alissa Pili | Utah Utes | Guard | 5’10” | Senior |
| Angel Reese | LSU Lady Tigers | Forward | 6’3” | Junior |
| Hailey Van Lith | LSU Lady Tigers | Guard | 5’7” | Graduate |
| JuJu Watkins | USC Trojans | Guard | 6’2” | Freshman |
Out of these 20 players, the WBCA will choose four finalists. Then the trophy will be awarded to the winner on April 4, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio, United States during the NCAA Women’s Final Four and the 2024 WBCA Convention.
FAQ's On The Wade Trophy Finalist List
A. The Wade Trophy for 2024 will be awarded on April 4, 2024.
A. The Wade Trophy is being awarded by the Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Association (WBCA).
A. The WBCA has chosen 20 players for the 204 Wade Trophy. However, they will be reduced to 4 finalists.
A. Caitlin Clark of the Iowa Hawkeyes won the Wade Trophy last in 2023.
A. The late Margaret Wade was the coach of the Delta State Lady Statesmen college basketball team.
