North Carolina State University Athletics
Elissa Cunane Selected as Top 10 Finalist for Lisa Leslie Award
2/5/2021 1:01:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Fan voting for the award begins Friday
LINK TO FAN VOTING | FULL FINALISTS LIST
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Junior center Elissa Cunane of the fourth-ranked NC State women's basketball team has been named one of 10 finalists for the 2021 Lisa Leslie Award, which is an annual honor that recognizes the top center in women's NCAA Division I basketball.
Wolfpack fans are encouraged to participate in this year's Fan Voting, which opens on Friday. The top five player selections based on the fan vote will receive an additional vote towards making the next round. In early March, five finalists will be presented to Ms. Leslie and the Hall of Fame's selection committee.
Cunane was one of the five finalists for the award last season after putting together a stellar sophomore campaign that also ended with AP and USBWA All-America honors.
The Summerfield, N.C., native continues to prove herself as one of the nation's top players. She is the centerpiece to the Pack's four-out, one-in system that has put together a 12-1 record in 2020-21 with two victories over the nation's top-ranked opponents (No. 1 South Carolina on Dec. 3 and No. 1 Louisville on Feb. 1).
Cunane averages a team-leading 16.2 points and 59.8 percent (64-of-107) shooting, while also compiling averages of 7.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. Her efficiency has ramped up even further in conference play where she averages 18.2 points, 62.5 percent (40-of-61) from the floor and 8.3 rebounds. The Wolfpack center has also proven herself as a threat from long range, with a 50 percent clip (7-of-14) from distance.
She ranks in the top five in the ACC in scoring and field-goal percentage and top 10 in the league in rebounding and blocked shots. Her 59.8 percent clip from the floor is also 12th nationally.
In addition to the Lisa Leslie Award, Cunane was also recently named to the John R. Wooden Award Late Season Top 20 watch list which recognizes National Player of the Year.
The winner of this season's Lisa Leslie Award will be presented April 9, 2021 alongside the other four members of the Women's Starting Five. For more information on the award and to vote beginning Feb. 5, visit HoopHallAwards.com.
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