For the third time in the fifth-year senior's college career, Arizona's Esmery Martinez claimed a spot on the Katrina McClain Award Preseason watch list, which is presented by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
It is the fifth-year senior's second appearance as a Wildcat and third overall; she was on the list when she played at West Virginia. Last season she finished on the award's Top 10 list.
The award is given to the top power forward at the end of the season.
Martinez was named to the Pac-12's preseason all-conference team. Last season, the 6-2 forward averaged 10.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Her 274 rebounds was the ninth-best such mark in a single season in UA history. She finished second in the league with 97 offensive rebounds, seventh in rebounds per game and 10th in steals per game (1.6).
Two other Pac-12 players made the list — Utah's Alissa Pili and Colorado's Quay Miller.
The only Wildcat to win a Naismith-affiliated award was Aari McDonald. She claimed the 2020 Ann Meyers Drysdale award as the nation's best shooting guard.
Arizona plays its first exhibition game against West Texas A&M Wednesday at 6 p.m. at McKale Center.
VIDEO: Arizona’s Esmery Martinez speaks at Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Media Day on Tuesday, Oct. 10, on the importance of returning to the UA in 2023-24 to earn her degree, and what that means to her family. (Video courtesy Pac-12 Networks)
