The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame has named Penn State women’s basketball’s Gracie Merkle to the Lisa Leslie Center of the Year Preseason Top 20 watch list. 

The Lisa Leslie award recognizes the top centers in Division I women’s college basketball. Leslie was named a three-time All-American and 1994 National Player of the Year before playing for the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks from 1997 to 2009. 

In her sophomore year, Merkle averaged 15.5 points per game and 8.6 rebounds, producing 15 double-doubles and 23 double-figure scoring games. 

Merkle joins Ashley Sofilkanich of Michigan and Lauren Betts of UCLA, last year’s recipient, as Big Ten representatives. 

Fan voting has opened, and picks can be selected at hoophallawards.com. Starting in February, the list of 20 players will be narrowed to 10, and then to five. In late March, the five finalists will be presented to Leslie and the Hall of Fame’s selection committees, and the winner will be selected. 

The Lady Lions will kick off their season on November 3 against Bucknell. The game will begin at 5:00 p.m. and is available on Big Ten Plus.