Maryland women’s basketball coach Brenda Frese earned her fifth career award for conference coach of the year, and her Terrapins players also picked up a slew of postseason awards Monday.
Junior guard Kaila Charles was unanimously named to the All-Big Ten first team. Freshman guard Taylor Mikesell won Big Ten Freshman of the Year and joined Charles on the All-Big Ten first team via the media ballot, while the coaches’ vote placed her on the second team.
Freshman forward Shakira Austin was a Big Ten All-Defensive team honoree, and she earned a spot on the conference’s All-Freshman team alongside Mikesell.
Stephanie Jones rounded out the list by making the All-Big Ten second team on the media ballot.
Charles led Maryland in scoring with 16 points per game, but also displayed all-around ability, recording 6.4 rebounds per game, 37 total steals and 18 blocks.
Mikesell had a shining freshman campaign, in which she started all 29 games of the regular season and shot 43 percent from 3-point range. Her 13.9 points per game and 96 total assists both rank second on the Terrapins.
Austin has been a force down low, leading Maryland with 10.1 boards per game and 77 blocks. The latter stat is also tied for seventh in Division I women’s basketball.
For Frese, it is the third time being named Big Ten Coach of the Year after she earned the title in 2015 at Maryland and in 2002 at Minnesota. She also won 2013 ACC Coach of the Year at Maryland and 2000 MAC Coach of the Year while coaching Ball State.
The Terrapins finished the regular season 26-3 (15-3 Big Ten) and will be the top seed in this week’s Big Ten Tournament.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.