Morgan Morrison, a senior guard from Smith College, was named the DIII Honda Athlete of the Year finalist for Basketball as announced today by Executive Director Chris Voelz of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.
Morrison is now designated one of 11 finalists for the prestigious DIII Honda Athlete of the Year. This will be voted on at the end of the academic year by national balloting among 1,000 NCAA member schools as part of THE CWSA program, now in its 47th year.
“I am honored and grateful to be recognized as a finalist for the athlete of the year by the Collegiate Women Sports Award presented by Honda,” said Morrison. “I could not have achieved this honor without the endless support and help from my friends, family, teammates, coaches and the Smith College athletic department.”
Morrison, hailing from Detroit, Mich., was named the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division III National Player of the Year and was most recently named the D3Hoops.com Player of the Year. The distinguished senior was also named the D3Hoops.com Region 2 Player of the Year, NEWMAC Athlete of the Year and NEWBA Player of the Year. She is now the most decorated player in Smith basketball history.
The forward led the Pioneers to its best season in program history finishing the year with a 30-2 overall record and an appearance in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four. She averaged 17.3 ppg and 8.9 rebounds per game.
Morrison rewrote the Smith record books ranking first in points scored in a season (552), field goals made (240), offensive rebounds (240) and games started (32).
“Morgan unequivocally ranks as one of the top student-athletes I have worked with in terms of her unwavering, steady work ethic and disciplined daily habits,” stated head coach Lynn Hersey.
“She displays a level of maturity, sacrifice and desire far beyond her years. She can be counted on to be consistent in her play and her attitude. She thrives under pressure and wants the ball when the game is on the line. She is mentally tough and hastremendous confidence, which she has earned from endless hours in the gym. Morgan found ways to bring success to Smith in the most critical situations. Unfazed by the magnitude of the moment, she was fearless under pressure and embraced the challenges ahead, a mindset that was infectious to our entire team. A dedicated teammate and a true competitor, Morgan has made her mark and our Smith Basketball family and I couldn't be more proud to see her honored in this way.”
All Honda Sports nominees from DIII and DII become a finalist for the prestigious 2023 Honda Athlete of the Year in their respective divisions, presented in a live telecast on CBS Sports Network in June, 2023, in downtown Los Angeles. The Honda Award finalists are recognized in 11 DIII and DII NCAA-sanctioned sports; cross country, basketball, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, volleyball, and track & field.
The CWSA, entering its 47th year, has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for their superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service. Since commencing its partnership in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs.
About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility
For more than 60 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its associates live and work. Honda’s mission is to create products and services that improve the lives of people while conducting its business in a sustainable manner and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Accordingly, Honda believes in helping people reach their life’s potential through its focus on the areas of education, the environment, mobility, traffic safety and community. Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/.