SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced the five finalists for the 2019 Cheryl Miller Award on Wednesday.

Notre Dame junior Jackie Young was acknowledged among the nation’s elite and joins teammate Arike Ogunbowale in advancing in their respective ‘Naismith Starting Five’ positional awards.

Joining Young in the top five for the best small forward in the country are Bridget Carleton (Iowa St.), Sophie Cunningham (Missouri), Kaila Charles (Maryland) and Satou Sabally (Oregon).

As the ‘glue’ of the Fighting Irish, Young continues to steal headlines. After a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double in the ACC Tournament title game, Young was named the tournament’s MVP. Y

oung averaged 19.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists over the three tournament games. 

A second team All-ACC selection, Young has achieved an Irish first — two triple-doubles in the same season. In addition, Young is up to 10 double-doubles on the year, which continues to shatter the program record for most by a guard.

Young has proven to be Notre Dame’s most sound all-around player, averaging 14.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists, with a league best 2.6 assist-to-turnover ratio. Young shoots an efficient 55.4 percent from the floor, which ranks third in Division I among guards.

The winner of the 2019 Cheryl Miller Small Forward Award will be revealed during the WBCA Coaches’ All-America/Naismith Starting 5 Presentation on Thursday, April 4, at the Women’s Final Four in Tampa, Florida.

Sullivan Award

The prestigious AAU Sullivan Award named Notre Dame senior guard Arike Ogunbowale as one of its 30 semifinalists this week. The AAU Sullivan Award has been given out since 1930 to the nation’s best amateur athlete. Ogunbowale becomes the first AAU Award semifinalist since Skylar Diggins-Smith six years ago.

Based on the qualities of leadership, character, sportsmanship and the ideals of amateurism, the AAU Sullivan Award goes far beyond athletic accomplishments and honors those who have shown strong moral character.

Voting for the semi-finalist round of the 89th AAU James E. Sullivan Award is now open and will close on Friday, March 15, at midnight ET. Fans can vote once per day, by following the link here: aausports.wyng.com/AAUSullivanAwardSemifinalists

“Celebrating amateurism is an important part of our sport, and I’m extremely honored to be a semifinalist for the AAU Award,” Ogunbowale said. “I am proud to be recognized alongside such a strong field of amateur athletes. My hope is to continue to be a strong advocate for the sport of women’s basketball and be a role model for the generation of young women to come.”

In just 72 hours, Ogunbowale has been named an AAU Sullivan Award semifinalist, a Dawn Staley Award finalist, an Ann Meyers Drysdale Award finalist for best shooting guard in the country and on the Wooden Award National Ballot.