Cunane Named To 2020 Wooden Award National Ballot

LOS ANGELES – NC State women's basketball center Elissa Cunane is one of 15 collegiate players selected for the 2020 Women's National Ballot for the John R. Wooden Award, as announced by the Los Angeles Athletic Club on Saturday morning.

The National Ballot consists of student-athletes who are candidates for the Wooden Award All-American Team and the Wooden Award Trophy that recognizes college basketball's Player of the Year. Cunane has been featured on multiple other watch lists throughout the season and is also one of 10 finalists for the Lisa Leslie Award, which honors the top center in women's college basketball.

Cunane earned First Team All-ACC honors in the midst of an explosive sophomore campaign. She ended the 2019-20 regular season as the only ACC player to average a double-double on the year with 16.5 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Cunane is the only player in the conference to rank in the top six in the league in scoring (16.5), rebounding (9.8) and field-goal percentage (.550). 

The Summerfield, N.C., native has posted a conference-leading 14 double-doubles this season as the Pack's leading scorer and rebounder. She has scored 20+ points in 10 outings and hit double figures in all but five games this season. 

Cunane recently surpassed 500 career rebounds not even halfway through her NC State career. Her 295 boards as a sophomore ties for 12th in program history in single-season rebounds. Amidst postseason play, Cunane is also just 41 points away from reaching 1,000 career points.

The Wooden Award All-American Team, which consists of the nation's top five players and the finalists for the Wooden Award, will be announced on April 3 following the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament. The 44th annual presentation of the John R. Wooden Award will take place on April 10 during the ESPN College Basketball Awards.