GCSU's Jada Warren named PBC nominee for NCAA Woman of the Year Award

AUGUSTA, Ga. |  Georgia College & State University women's basketball player Jada Warren is one of two Peach Belt Conference selections for the NCAA Woman of the Year.

In addition to Warren, Clayton State University track and field performer Ariyonna Jones was the other PBC selection for the award. The two will be among the 46 Division II student-athletes advancing in the selection process after being chosen from all PBC institution nominees for the award. The selections were made by the Peach Belt Senior Woman Administrator Committee.

"I am truly honored to be one of two nominees from the Peach Belt Conference for the NCAA Woman of the Year award," said Warren. "This recognition is a testament to the dedication and effort I've invested in my athletic and academic pursuits, as well as my commitment to actively contribute and engage with the community around me."

Warren graduated from Georgia College in May with a bachelor's degree in exercise science. The Norcross, Georgia, native graduated cum laude with a 3.64 cumulative grade-point average and received the GCSU Student Leader of the Year Bobcat Award. A member of the PBC Team of Academic Distinction and Presidential Honor Roll, she was a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District® selection, a member of the Georgia College Honors College and named to the Gamma Beta Phi Honors Society. She also served in the Student Government Association, the Black Student Alliance and in the LIFE Mentorship Program.

"Jada is a remarkable student-athlete and young woman," said GCSU Assistant Director of Athletics and Student-Athlete Success/Senior Woman Administrator Cathy Stevens. "She not only checks all the boxes, but exceeds in all areas for this award. She is a person of integrity, has an engaging personality and is a servant leader both on campus and in the community."

On the court, Warren averaged 8.8 rebounds and 3.7 points during the 2023-24 season for the Bobcats. Warren, who pulled down a career-high 17 rebounds against Columbus State University, grabbed 256 rebounds and shot 44.0 percent (40-of-91) from the field. She also collected 22 blocked shots, 21 assists and 13 steals. Warren was 50th in NCAA Division II and led the PBC in rebounds. She was also first in the Peach Belt in rebounds per game (8.8). Warren finished seventh in the league in blocked shots.

Warren is the third Bobcat to be named a PBC selection for the NCAA Woman of the Year since 2017, joining Macy Polk (women's tennis) and Kate Richardson (women's soccer) last year.

The NCAA Woman of the Year Selection Committee will announce 30 finalists - 10 from each division - later this fall, then narrow that to the top three nominees in each division. The NCAA Woman of the Year award will be presented at the NCAA Convention in Nashville in January.

The Woman of the Year Selection Committee, made up of representatives from the NCAA membership, will choose 10 nominees from each division to make up the national top 30 honorees. The top 30 honorees will be announced later this fall. From there, the selection committee will narrow the pool to three finalists from each division. The NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics will select the 2024 Woman of the Year from the nine finalists.

At January's NCAA Convention in Nashville, the national top 30 honorees will be celebrated, and the NCAA Woman of the Year will be announced.

To learn more about the award program and previous winners, visit ncaa.org/woty.