Zoe Brooks Tabbed to Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year Preseason Watchlist
10/27/2025 1:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
RALEIGH – Zoe Brooks of the NC State women's basketball team has been recognized on the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year Preseason Top 20 Watchlist, as announced by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Monday. The award recognizes the best point guard in women's college basketball.
Brooks was tabbed to the 2025 ACC Preseason Team, coming off a sophomore season in which she averaged 14.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game. The Plainfield, New Jersey native was named to the 2024-25 ACC First Team and earned ACC Most Improved Player, a first for the program. Brooks was also named with WBCA All-America Honorable Mention honors.
Last season, Brooks logged 28 double-digit scoring games, four 20+ point contests, one 30-point game and two double-doubles. She finished 46.2 percent from the field (184-of-398) and 75.6 percent from the free throw line (96-of-127). Brooks logged a career-high 33 points, shooting 14-of-14 from the free throw line, with 10 rebounds and two blocks in 47.5 minutes in NC State's double overtime win over No. 1 Notre Dame. The point guard was named ACC Player of the Week after averaging 25.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in the Pack's back-to-back wins over No. 20 Georgia Tech and No. 1 Notre Dame. Brooks capped off the season with 21 points and five assists vs. LSU in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.
As a rookie, Brooks was tabbed to the ACC All-Freshman Team and averaged 9.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game. She became the second player in school history to record a triple-double, logging 14 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists vs. Liberty.
To be considered for the Nancy Lieberman Award, candidates must exhibit the floor leadership, playmaking and ball-handling skills of Nancy Lieberman, a 1996 Hall of Famer. The award is in its 27th year.
Brooks is one of six ACC point guards on the watchlist. The list will remain fluid as the season progresses to give players the opportunity to move on and off the list until the final five are selected. This list will be trimmed down to 10 players in late January and the final five will be announced in March. The award winner and presentation details will be announced at the Final Four. Fans will have the opportunity to vote.
NC State will officially open the season against No. 8 Tennessee on Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 4 p.m. at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. Tickets for the game can be purchased HERE.
Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year Preseason Top 20 Watchlist
Rachel Rose, Clemson
Taina Mair, Duke
Janelle Brown, Fairfield
Jada Williams, Iowa State
S'Mya Nichols, Kansas
Tonie Morgan, Kentucky
MiLaysia Fulwiley, LSU
Zoe Brooks, NC State
Britt Prince, Nebraska
Reniya Kelly, North Carolina
Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame
Aaliyah Chavez, Oklahoma
Raven Johnson, South Carolina
Olivia Miles, TCU
Talaysia Cooper, Tennessee
Rori Harmon, Texas
Ny'Ceara Pryor, Texas A&M
Kiki Rice, UCLA
Kymora Johnson, Virginia
Jordan Harrison, West Virginia
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