Jan. 23, 2008

Lilburn, GA --- Natalie Doma, the only player in the nation ranked in the top 10 in both scoring and rebounding, is one of 27 players named to the 2008 State Farm Wade Trophy list, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced on Wednesday. Doma is the first Idaho State women's basketball player ever named to a National Player of the Year watch list, and she is one of three players added to the original preseason list.

Doma, who was named the Big Sky Player of the Week for the fourth time this season, and a record 11th time overall, is third in the nation in scoring at 24.1 points per game, and she is fourth in rebounding at 11.9 boards per game. Last year, she was one of just four players in the nation to average 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, and she is the only player doing so this year. She is on pace to become the all-time leading scorer and rebounder in Big Sky Conference history, and she has helped Idaho State to a 12-5 record and a tie for first place at 4-1. Included in those 12 wins are wins over Montana, UCLA, and Oregon State.

"This is just a tremendous and well deserved honor for Natalie," said head coach Jon Newlee. "She really has unguardable at times, and while she's playing really well, the honor is also a tribute to the team and the team success that we have had recently." The Bengals, who are tied for first place in the Big Sky, won the 2007 Big Sky Tournament championship, and the 2006 regular season title.

The Wade Trophy is named after the late, legendary three time national champion, Delta State University coach Lily Margaret Wade. The award debuted in 1978 as the first ever Women's National Player of the Year Award in college basketball.

The 27 names on the list represent the best players in Division I basketball this season. The list is as follows: Matee Ajavon (Rutgers), Charel Allen (Notre Dame), Nicky Anosike (Tennessee), Essence Carson (Rutgers), Tina Charles (Connecticut), Marissa Coleman (Maryland), Allyssa DeHaan (Michigan State), Natalie Doma (Idaho State), Sylvia Fowles (Louisiana State), Devanei Hampton (California), Amber Holt (Middle Tennessee State), Alexis Hornbuckle (Tennessee), Tasha Humphrey (Georgia), Crystal Kelly (Western Kentucky), Crystal Langhorne (Maryland), Erlana Larkins (North Carolina), Angel McCoughtry (Louisville), Renee Montgomery (Connecticut), Marscilla Packer (Ohio State), Courtney Paris (Oklahoma), Candice Parker (Tennessee), Kristi Toliver (Maryland), Kia Vaughn (Rutgers), Marcedes Walker (Pittsburgh), Ashley Walker (California), Abby Waner (Duke), and Candice Wiggins (Stanford).

Doma, despite her terrific numbers and season, had been living in relative national obscurity, but a recent wave of national publicity has put her into the spotlight. She was the lead story for Doug Feinberg's Associated Press women's basketball notebook column on January 4 entitled "Idaho State's Natalie Doma is one of the best kept secrets in the Big Sky", and she was mentioned by Beth Mowins on the WBCA January 16 podcast "Shootaround" as a player to watch on the national scene.

The State Farm Wade Trophy Watch List is one of three national player of the year awards handed out in Division I. The others are the John Wooden Award, which will have midseason list upcoming, and the Naismith Award.