NSU players headline All-Americans.

Kierra Wheeler, Diamond Johnson and JSU head coach Tomekia Reed highlight HBCU women’s All-America team

boxtorow.com

Norfolk State forward Kierra Wheeler has helped lead the Spartans to back-to-back MEAC Tournament championships and a No. 13 ranking in the current Women’s Mid Major Top 25 poll.

Wheeler’s play this season has earned her the HBCU National Player of the Year award as she leads a list of 16 named to the HBCU DI Women’s All-America teams powered by BOXTOROW.

Wheeler led the MEAC in field goal percentage (.500) and was tied for the league lead in blocked shots (50), finished second in the MEAC in scoring (17.6) and rebounding (9.8), was sixth in steals and recorded 49 assists. She started in 32 games, scored double figures in every game except one, and recorded 14 double doubles which was second in the MEAC and top 30 in the nation. She was named MEAC Player of the Year.

Jackson State head coach Tomekia Reed was named HBCU National Coach of the Year for the third time, tying former Bethune-Cookman head coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis for the most times receiving the honor. Reed led JSU to an undefeated season in SWAC play, the SWAC Tournament championship, a 26-6 record, and a No. 10 ranking in the Women’s Mid Major Top 25 poll.

Norfolk State guard Diamond Johnson is the recipient of the first ever HBCU Impact Player of the Year award. In her first season in the Spartans’ program, Johnson led the MEAC in scoring (20.2) and steals (3.8) where she also ranked third in the nation, was fifth in field goal percentage (.433), and third in three-point field goal percentage (.383). She also recorded 66 assists and pulled down 5.4 rebounds per game. She scored 20 or more points in 13 of her 23 games.

BOXTOROW has released the Women’s All-America teams since the 2011-12 season.  Players from 12 different schools were represented.

First Team All-Americans
Miya Crump, Jackson State (G, Grad., Houston, Texas)
Zaay Green, Arkansas-Pine Bluff (G, Grad., Duncanville, Texas)
Ahriahna Grizzle, Florida A&M (G, Grad., Toronto, Canada)
Diamond Johnson, Norfolk State (G, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa.)
Jordyn Dorsey, North Carolina A&T (G, Jr., Augusta, Ga.)
Laila Lawrence, Coppin State (F, Jr., Lewisville, Texas)
Ryann Payne, Prairie View A&M (, G, Grad., Los Angeles, Calif.)
Kierra Wheeler, Norfolk State (G, Jr., Minneapolis, Minn.)

Second Team All-Americans
Faith Blackstone, Coppin State (G, Sr. Harrisburg, Pa.)
Ti’lan Boler, Jackson State (G, Sr., Meridian, Miss.)
Morgan Callahan, North Carolina Central (F, r-Jr., Beach Park, Ill.)
Camryn Hill, Hampton (G, Sr., Dallas, Texas)
Amiah Simmons, Alabama A&M (G, Jr., Overland Park, Kans.
Sanaa’ St. Andre, Tennessee State (, Sr., Oakdale, La.)
Tyana Walker, Howard (G, Fr., Leawood, Kans.)

AWARDS

HBCU DI Women’s National Player of the Year: Kierra Wheeler, Norfolk State
HBCU DI Women’s National Coach of the Year: Tomekia Reed, Jackson State
HBCU DI Women’s Impact Player of the Year: Diamond Johnson, Norfolk State

HBCU DI Women’s National Players of the Year
2023-24 Kierra Wheeler, Norfolk State
2022-23 Ayana Emmanuel, Alabama State and Destiny Howell, Howard
2022-21 Ameshya Williams-Holliday, Jackson State
2020-21 Chanin Scott, North Carolina A&T and Ameshya Williams, Jackson State
2019-20 Chanette Hicks, Norfolk State
2018-19 Shakyla Hill, Grambling
2017-18 Shakyla Hill, Grambling
2016-17 Britney Wright, Alabama State
2015-16 Malia Tate-DeFreitas, Hampton
2014-15 Malia Tate-DeFreitas, Hampton
2013-14 No teams were released
2012-13 No teams were released
2011-12 Jericko Jenkins, Hampton

HBCU DI Women’s Coaches of the Year
2023-24 Tomekia Reed, Jackson State
2022-23 Larry Vickers, Norfolk State
2022-21 Tomekia Reed, Jackson State
2020-21 Tomekia Reed, Jackson State
2019-20 Vanessa Blair-Lewis
2018-19 Vanessa Blair-Lewis, Bethune-Cookman
2017-18 Tarrell Robinson, North Carolina A&T
2016-17 Vanessa Blair-Lewis, Bethune-Cookman and Freddie Murray, Grambling
2015-16 Freeda Freeman-Jackson, Alabama State
2014-15 Cedric Baker, Savannah State
2013-14 No teams were released
2012-13 No teams were released
2011-12 David Six, Hampton