The Big 12 Conference has a rich history of producing exceptional basketball talent, and the Mercury Player's recent success is a testament to that. But here's the exciting part: a Mercury star has just been crowned the Big 12 Player of the Year!
The Big 12 has been a powerhouse, with teams like TCU, Texas Tech, and Baylor dominating the scene. Iowa State is no exception, with Audi Crooks shining as the second-highest scorer across all conferences. Only Mikayla Blakes averages more points, showcasing the incredible talent pool.
The Big 12 Player of the Year award holds immense prestige, and Tamecka Dixon etched her name in history as the inaugural winner. This award has since become a coveted title, with several players following Dixon's trailblazing path.
Nicole Ohlde, a standout player with ties to the Phoenix Mercury, became the first Mercury-affiliated player to win this award, and she did it not once but twice! Ohlde began her WNBA journey with the Minnesota Lynx but later joined the Mercury, where she achieved championship glory. The trade that brought Ohlde to Phoenix also sent Kelly Miller and LaToya Sanders to Minnesota, reshaping both teams' rosters.
Ohlde's success inspired others, and Brittney Griner took the award to new heights, winning it three times. Griner's college career was remarkable, leading to her being the top pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft.
Fast forward to the present, and Hailey Van Lith is the most recent recipient of the Big 12 Player of the Year award. However, the Mercury connection doesn't end there. Ashley Joens, a former Iowa State standout, was the last player with Mercury ties to win the award in the 2022-23 season. Joens' senior year was exceptional, averaging 21.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.
Joens' professional journey took her to the Dallas Wings as a second-round draft pick, but she later found her way to the Las Vegas Aces and then back to the Wings. Eventually, she joined the Mercury, where she had her most memorable performance, scoring nine points against an Eastern Conference team. Despite the Mercury's loss to the Connecticut Sun, Joens made her mark.
And this is where it gets intriguing: Joens, the former Iowa State star, is the latest Mercury-affiliated player to win the Big 12 Player of the Year award. But the question remains: will she be the last? The future of the Big 12 and its players is full of potential, and the Mercury's connection to this prestigious award is a story worth following.
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