Tuesday, Nov 26, 2019
She becomes the first Bronc in program history to earn the honor
by Rider Sports Information
Senior guard Stella Johnson of the Rider University women's basketball team was named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) Ann Meyers Drysdale Women's National Player of the Week on Nov. 26 as announced by the organization.
Johnson continues to garner weekly accolades after being tabbed as the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Player of the Week on Nov. 25.
It marked the first time in program history that a Bronc was named the USBWA National Player of the Week and also the first time a player from the MAAC picked up the weekly accolade as well.
"What a well-deserved and amazing honor for Stella and the program," Rider Head Coach Lynn Milligan said. "She continues to work and lead her team tirelessly to help bring our program to a higher level. Stella is a special player and young lady and we are very proud of her."
Johnson was outstanding for the Broncs last weekend at the MAAC/ASUN Challenge. She averaged 40 points, six rebounds, four steals, two assists and one block per game as Rider went 1-1 against Lipscomb and North Florida.
For her play, she was honored as the MAAC/ASUN Challenge MVP. Johnson set a program single-game scoring record with 41 points in a victory over Lipscomb. In the victory, she also had three steals and two blocks. She followed that up with 39 points, the second-most in a single game in program history, versus North Florida.
During the weekend, Johnson shot over 43% (21 of 48) from the field, 42% (six of 14) from three-point range and 91% (32 of 35) from the foul line.
Johnson currently leads the country in scoring with 30.8 points per game and made free throws with 57.
She is one of just two active players in all of Division I, along with Princeton's Bella Alarie, to have earned both USBWA National Player of the Week and USBWA National Freshman of the Week honors in their careers.
The USBWA's first season awarding the Women's National Player of the Week award was 2011-12.
For the 2012-13 season, the national and weekly player award became named for Hall of Famer and former UCLA All-American Ann Meyers Drysdale.
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected a women's All-America team since the 1996-97 season.