ATLANTA – Penn State redshirt-sophomore guard Leilani Kapinus has been named to the Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year 2023 Watch List, the organization announced Tuesday. Kapinus is the only Big Ten player selected to the watchlist and one of 15 players overall.
Kapinus ranks fourth in the nation in steals (68) and first in the Big Ten, which is 23 more the No. 2 steals conference leader (Sydney Wood of Northwestern). Averaging 3.4 steals per game, sixth nationally, she has ramped up that average to 3.9 against B1G opponents in nine contests. Overall, she has racked up 12 games with at least three steals, including seven contests with 5+: nine against Cornell, seven in the win over Purdue, six versus Fresno State, Rutgers and Minnesota (at home) and five against Minnesota (in Minneapolis) and Wisconsin.
In addition to her steals, the guard has recorded 18 blocks, 10th-most in the Big Ten. Again, her block average has increased in conference play with nine so far.
The Lady Lions return to action Thursday at 7 p.m. at Rutgers.
Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year 2023 Watch List
FULL NAME CLASS POS SCHOOL
Brea Beal Senior G South Carolina
Aliyah Boston Senior F South Carolina
Cameron Brink Junior F Stanford
Brooke Flowers Senior F/C St. Louis
Lauren Gustin Junior F BYU
Taiyanna Jackson Junior C Kansas
Leilani Kapinus Sophomore G Penn State
Elizabeth Kitley Senior C Virginia Tech
Rayah Marshall Sophomore G/F USC
Aneesah Morrow Sophomore F DePaul
Ny’Ceara Pryor Freshman G Sacred Heart
Helena Pueyo Senior …
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