SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts  - In the midst of one of the most statistically dominant seasons in both conference and Division I basketball history, Cal's Kristine Anigwe has been selected as one of five finalists for the 2019 Lisa Leslie Award, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced on Friday. Named after the three-time All-American and 1994 National Player of the Year, the Lisa Leslie Award recognizes the top centers in women's NCAA Division I college basketball.

The winner of the 2019 Lisa Leslie Center of the Year Award will be determined by a combination of fan votes and input from the Basketball Hall of Fame's selection committee. Fans are encouraged to visit www.HoophallAwards.com to cast their votes March 15-29.

The four other finalists are Kalani Brown from Baylor, Megan Gustafson from Iowa, Teaira McCowan from Mississippi State, and Beatrice Mompremier from Miami (FL).

Recently named an ESPNW All-American and one of four finalists for the 2019 Naismith Women's Defensive Player of the Year presented by Bona, Anigwe has been a dominant force on both ends of the floor this season. Anigwe leads the nation in both double-doubles (31) and rebounding (16.3 rebounds per game) and ranks seventh in Division I in scoring, averaging 22.9 points per game. The 2019 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and a four-time All-Pac-12 selection, Anigwe is on track to become the first player in 30 years to average at least 22 points per game and 16 rebounds per game in the same season, and would be just the third woman to ever do so in Division I women's basketball history. 

Anigwe is the only player in the nation – male or female – with a double-double in every game this season, and has a streak of 32 consecutive double-doubles dating back to the end of the 2017-18 campaign, the fourth-longest streak in Division I women's basketball history. Anigwe's 30^th consecutive double-double, which set a new Pac-12 best, came in historic fashion in Cal's regular season finale at Washington State. Anigwe went off for 32 points and 30 rebounds in 35 minutes of action, becoming the first Pac-12 player to ever record 30 points and 30 rebounds in the same game and the first player in the nation with a 30-30 performance since 2002.

The top rebounder in the nation this season by nearly three full rebounds per game, Anigwe's 16.3 rebounds per game this season would rank ninth in Division I women's basketball history. The 2016 USBWA National Freshman of the Year, Anigwe has 506 total rebounds this year, the mark the third-highest single-season total in Pac-12 history and tied for 10^th all-time in the history of women's Division I basketball.

Playing in arguably the most challenging conference in the nation, Anigwe's performance only elevated in Pac-12 play, averaging 24.2 points per game and 18.1 blocks per game in conference play. In nine games this season against AP Top-25 opponents, Anigwe is averaging 20.9 points and 17.1 rebounds per game, including a pair of 20-point, 20-rebound games against Stanford, the No. 6 team in the nation and sixth nationally in defensive rating, according to HerHoopStats.com.

Cal's all-time leading scorer and fourth on the Pac-12 career scoring charts with 2,560 career points, Anigwe is averaging a career-high 22.9 points per game this season despite facing double- and triple-teams on nearly every outing. She also ranks third in Pac-12 history with 1,377 career rebounds  and joins former Stanford standout and WNBA No. 1 Draft pick Chiney Ogwumike as the only players in conference history in the Top-Five in both scoring and rebounding. The 6'4" Anigwe also holds Cal's career blocked shots record with 203 career rejections and has a career-high in assists this season.

The winner of the 2019 Lisa Leslie Center 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. Additional awards being presented and recognized at the award show include the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard Award, the Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard Award, the Cheryl Miller Small Forward Award and the Katrina McClain Power Forward Award. Also being awarded is the Wade Trophy, the sport's oldest and most prestigious national player of the year award which is presented annually by the WBCA's community of coaches to the best player in college women's basketball.

Last season, A'ja Wilson of South Carolina was named the inaugural winner of the Lisa Leslie Center of the Year Award, after averaging 22.6 points and 11.8 rebounds per game in her final season for the Gamecocks.
Anigwe and the Golden Bears will find out their postseason fate on Monday afternoon when the field for the 2019 Women's NCAA Basketball Tournament is revealed on Selection Monday at 4 p.m. PT on ESP. Cal is looking to make its third consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament and 14^th overall in program history. 

For more information and updates on the Golden Bears throughout the season, follow the team on Twitter (@CalWBball), Instagram (@CalWBball) and Facebook (Facebook.com/CalWBball).