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ATHENS, Ohio --  Bobcat senior point guard Cece Hooks (Dayton, Ohio) has been named to the 2022 Women's Naismith Player of the Year Trophy watch list, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced today (Nov. 9). Hooks is the only player from the Mid-American Conference to be named to the preseason watch list, and is one of only five players from a mid-major school to earn the recognition. 

Hooks, who has already been named to the 2021-22 preseason Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Watch List, returns to the Bobcats after yet another strong season in 2020-21. Last year, Hooks averaged a MAC-best 25.1 points and a team-high 6.6 rebounds and 4 assists in 34.4 minutes per game. She also recorded 94 steals during the season, good for 3.4 per game. She became the second player in program history to eclipse 2,000 career points, and scored over 30 points five different times and logged the second-ever triple double in program history with a statline of 31 points, 11 assists, and 10 steals in a game against Miami. 

Her performance last season earned Hooks MAC Player of the Year, MAC Defensive Player of the Year, All-MAC First Team, All-MAC Defensive Team, and an All-American Honorable Mention recognition. She was also picked for the 2021-22 preseason All-MAC First Team, and is on pace to set new program records for career points and field goals made at some point during the upcoming season

The Naismith Trophy is presented annually to the most outstanding men's and women's basketball player who achieves tremendous on-court success, and symbolizes excellence, tradition, and prestige. The watch list will be trimmed to 30 players halfway through the 2021-22 season, and the winner will be chosen for a list for four finalists. 

Ohio tips off their 2021-22 campaign on Tuesday night (Nov. 9) with a road matchup against Notre Dame. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m., and will be broadcast on ACCNX. The Bobcats defeated the No. 22 Fighting Irish last season, 86-85, for the first win over a ranked team in program history. 

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