Candice Wiggins Is Surprise Winner of Wade Trophy

By Julia M. Coleman: SPM FL Writer
Posted Saturday, April 5, 2008

TAMPA, Fla. – The State Farm Wade Trophy presentation was held during the Women’s Final Four weekend in Tampa, Florida. In a move that both surprised and delighted those attending, Stanford University senior Candice Wiggins was presented the award for the best women’s basketball player in NCAA Division I on Saturday morning.

The WBCA presents this award, on behalf of the Wade Coalition, annually to the top player in NCAA Division I who embodies the spirit of Lily Margaret Wade, including affect on team, character and leadership.

“Candice Wiggins demonstrates what this award is all about,” said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. “She is not only a force on the court, but is also a great role model to the community. I am certain Lily Margaret Wade would be pleased to know Candice is receiving this award in her honor.”

ESPN basketball analyst and former recently-retired Chicago Sky forward Stacey Dales introduced the State Farm All-America team individually, prior to the Wade Trophy presentation. Dales invited each of the 10 candidates to the podium to offer their thoughts. Connecticut freshman Maya Moore looked at the High School All-America Team seated in the audience and said, “A year ago, I was sitting right where you are sitting. If you work hard enough, anything is possible.”

Demonstrating the same humility evident in her post-game comments throughout this post-season, Wiggins seemed genuinely surprised and humbled as she received her trophy. She thanked her coaches, her teammates, and her mother. She then also saluted the other finalists, many of whom were seated behind her as members of the State Farm All-American Team.

State Farm All-America Team member and potential 2009 Wade Trophy front-runner Kristi Toliver, a junior guard for the University of Maryland, was asked what she plans to work on over the summer to both improve her game and to improve the chances of getting Maryland back to the Final Four.

“Leadership,” was her emphatic answer. “I want to be to lead my teammates and get back to the Final Four where we belong.”

University of Louisville junior Angel McCoughtry, perhaps motivated by the Cardinals' great post-season run, is just anxious to get back in the gym.

“We are going to start now so I can be in their position next year – in the Final Four.”