Northwestern University Athletics
Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah Receives Preseason Honors
10/22/2018 12:18:00 PM | Women's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern forward Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah has been named to both the 2018-19 Coaches and Media Preseason All-Big Ten Team, the Conference announced on Monday.
Heading into her senior season, Kunaiyi-Akpanah has already made her mark in the record books as one of the top rebounders in the Big Ten. She ranks second in the Conference and first in Northwestern history for total rebounds in a season at 381 with an average of 11.9 per game while also being ranked in the conference for offensive rebounds, steals, blocked shots and scoring.
Kunaiyi-Akpanah recorded 18 double-doubles in the 2017-18 season, which ties her with Patricia Babcock (1993-94) and Nia Coffey (2015-16) for the most in a single season in school history.
The Wildcats closed out the 2017-18 season in the Second Round of the Big Ten Tournament against Iowa where Kunaiyi-Akpanah finishedwith 17 rebounds, the fourth-most in a Big Ten Tournament game, tied with Angela Hawkins (Indiana) and Jantel Lavender (Ohio State). It is the most rebounds in a Big Ten Tournament game since 2014.
The senior forward and rest of the Chicago's Big Ten Team open the regular season on the road against Green Bay on Nov. 6.
The Wildcats home opener will be Sunday, Nov. 11 in Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tip for that game is set for 1 p.m.
Here is a complete look at the Preseason All-Big Ten Teams and rankings from both the coaches and media:
2018-19 COACHES BIG TEN PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Maryland
2. Iowa
3. Michigan
2018-19 COACHES PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN TEAM
Alex Wittinger, Sr., F, Illinois
Kathleen Doyle, Jr., G, Iowa
MEGAN GUSTAFSON, Sr., F, Iowa
KAILA CHARLES, Jr., G, Maryland
HALLIE THOME, Sr., C, Michigan
Shay Colley, Jr., G, Michigan State
KENISHA BELL, Sr., G, Minnesota
Hannah Whitish, Jr., G, Nebraska
Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah, Sr., F, Northwestern
Teniya Page, Sr., G, Penn State
Ae'Rianna Harris, Jr., F, Purdue
Dominique Oden, Jr., G, Purdue
2018-19 COACHES BIG TEN PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Megan Gustafson, Sr., F, Iowa
2018-19 MEDIA BIG TEN PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Maryland
2. Iowa
3. Minnesota
2018-19 MEDIA PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN TEAM
Alex Wittinger, Sr., F, Illinois
Kathleen Doyle, Jr., G, Iowa
MEGAN GUSTAFSON, Sr., F, Iowa
KAILA CHARLES, Jr., G, Maryland
Hallie Thome, Sr., C, Michigan
Kenisha Bell, Sr., G, Minnesota
Destiny Pitts, So., G/F, Minnesota
Hannah Whitish, Jr., G, Nebraska
Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah, Sr., F, Northwestern
Teniya Page, Sr., G, Penn State
Ae'Rianna Harris, Jr., F, Purdue
Dominique Oden, Jr., G, Purdue
2018-19 MEDIA BIG TEN PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Megan Gustafson, Sr., F, Iowa
Unanimous selections listed in ALL CAPS
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
Heading into her senior season, Kunaiyi-Akpanah has already made her mark in the record books as one of the top rebounders in the Big Ten. She ranks second in the Conference and first in Northwestern history for total rebounds in a season at 381 with an average of 11.9 per game while also being ranked in the conference for offensive rebounds, steals, blocked shots and scoring.
Kunaiyi-Akpanah recorded 18 double-doubles in the 2017-18 season, which ties her with Patricia Babcock (1993-94) and Nia Coffey (2015-16) for the most in a single season in school history.
The Wildcats closed out the 2017-18 season in the Second Round of the Big Ten Tournament against Iowa where Kunaiyi-Akpanah finishedwith 17 rebounds, the fourth-most in a Big Ten Tournament game, tied with Angela Hawkins (Indiana) and Jantel Lavender (Ohio State). It is the most rebounds in a Big Ten Tournament game since 2014.
The senior forward and rest of the Chicago's Big Ten Team open the regular season on the road against Green Bay on Nov. 6.
The Wildcats home opener will be Sunday, Nov. 11 in Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tip for that game is set for 1 p.m.
Here is a complete look at the Preseason All-Big Ten Teams and rankings from both the coaches and media:
2018-19 COACHES BIG TEN PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Maryland
2. Iowa
3. Michigan
2018-19 COACHES PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN TEAM
Alex Wittinger, Sr., F, Illinois
Kathleen Doyle, Jr., G, Iowa
MEGAN GUSTAFSON, Sr., F, Iowa
KAILA CHARLES, Jr., G, Maryland
HALLIE THOME, Sr., C, Michigan
Shay Colley, Jr., G, Michigan State
KENISHA BELL, Sr., G, Minnesota
Hannah Whitish, Jr., G, Nebraska
Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah, Sr., F, Northwestern
Teniya Page, Sr., G, Penn State
Ae'Rianna Harris, Jr., F, Purdue
Dominique Oden, Jr., G, Purdue
2018-19 COACHES BIG TEN PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Megan Gustafson, Sr., F, Iowa
2018-19 MEDIA BIG TEN PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Maryland
2. Iowa
3. Minnesota
2018-19 MEDIA PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN TEAM
Alex Wittinger, Sr., F, Illinois
Kathleen Doyle, Jr., G, Iowa
MEGAN GUSTAFSON, Sr., F, Iowa
KAILA CHARLES, Jr., G, Maryland
Hallie Thome, Sr., C, Michigan
Kenisha Bell, Sr., G, Minnesota
Destiny Pitts, So., G/F, Minnesota
Hannah Whitish, Jr., G, Nebraska
Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah, Sr., F, Northwestern
Teniya Page, Sr., G, Penn State
Ae'Rianna Harris, Jr., F, Purdue
Dominique Oden, Jr., G, Purdue
2018-19 MEDIA BIG TEN PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Megan Gustafson, Sr., F, Iowa
Unanimous selections listed in ALL CAPS
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
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