Women: Mathies, Novosel on midseason Wooden list

University of Kentucky junior A'dia Mathies and Notre Dame University senior Natalie Novosel from Lexington Catholic were among 20 players named Friday to the Midseason Top 20 for the John R. Wooden Award.

The Wooden Award is presented annually to the player of the year in men's and women's college basketball.

Earlier this month, Kentucky's Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist were named to the Midseason Top 25 for men's players.

Mathies, a 5-foot-9 Louisville native who played at Iroquois High School, averages 15.6 points to lead sixth-ranked UK (19-2).

The 5-11 Novosel averages 15.4 points for No. 2 Notre Dame (20-1). She is second on the team in scoring to Skylar Diggins (16.6), who was also named to the Wooden Top 20 Friday.

The list included seven seniors, seven juniors, four sophomores and two freshmen.

Mathies was one of three Southeastern Conference players to make the list, joining Glory Johnson and Shekinna Stricklen of Tennessee.

The men's and women's winners will be announced at the 36th annual Wooden Award Gala on April 6.

Wooden midseason list

Alex Bentley Penn State

Elena Delle Donne Delaware

Skylar Diggins Notre Dame

Shante Evans Hofstra

Brittney Griner Baylor

Bria Hartley UConn

Glory Johnson Tennessee

Shenise Johnson Miami