INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) - The United States Basketball Writers Association announced the midseason watch list for the 2024-25 Ann Meyers Drysdale Player of the Year award and Navy's Zanai Barnett-Gay was spotlighted as one of 50 players currently under considered for the honor of being named the nation's best.

The talented sophomore guard has been on the national radar since the first game of her freshman season in 2023-24 when she recorded a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds with five steals. Since that contest on November 8, 2023, Barnett-Gay has tallied 10 or more points in 50 of 51 games, including a stretch of 46 straight to start her career and 22 games of 20 or more points. A well-rounded player, she's recorded 11 double-doubles, as well as 27 games with three or more steals so far. With this lightning fast start to her career, Barnett-Gay is quickly approaching a plethora of Navy program records, including the fastest to 1,000 career points; the record is 53 games by Colleen Cassidy ('78-81), while Barnett-Gay is at 950 points through 51 games and career steals as she's just 27 behind Cassidy's 167 thefts.

This season, the Glenn Dale, Maryland native is right back in the discussion of the region and nation's best as she's averaging 19.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.4 steals per game, while shooting 41.2 percent from the field, 36.7 percent from three-point range and 77.9 percent from the foul line. Her scoring output currently ranks 28th in the nation and second in the Patriot League to go along with her steal per game mark standing 51st nationally and first in the conference. Additionally, both of Barnett-Gay's averages for rebounds and assists rank fifth in the Patriot League. Among the vaunted NCAA DI WBB Class of 2027 that includes USC's JuJu Watkins, Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo and Iowa State's Audi Crooks, Barnett-Gay's 19.2 points per game average is ninth-best in the class for this season.

Following a brief mid-week bye for all Patriot League women's basketball teams, Barnett-Gay and the Mids will be back in action at home this Saturday, Feb. 8 versus Lafayette. Tip-off against the Leopards is set for 4 p.m. at Alumni Hall.

About USBWA
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. At the conclusion of the regular season, the USBWA will name finalists for both individual awards, which is voted on by the entire membership of the USBWA. The winners of the 2025 Ann Meyers Drysdale National Player of the Year and Tamika Catchings National Freshman of the Year will be announced and presented at the USBWA's annual awards event on site at the 2025 NCAA Women's Final Four in Tampa. Additionally, the USBWA has selected a women's All-America team since the 1996-97 season.