JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville sophomore guard
Tatum Brown was named the Atlantic Sun's Preseason Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, the league announced Tuesday. Brown is the first player since 2020-21 to win both preseason superlatives.
Brown is the first preseason conference player of the year in program history and the second preseason defensive player of the year, joining Kimberly Dawkins who was recognized ahead of the 2016-17 campaign.
Brown and fellow sophomore
Aniah Smith were both named to the All-ASUN team, as well.
Brown was one of the best players in the league during her rookie season. She was named the league's Freshman of the Year and was the only freshman to make an All-ASUN team, earning a spot on the third team.
She averaged 10 points and 5.2 rebounds while also leading the league with 77 steals, the second-most in a single-season in school history.
Smith is another young player ready for a breakout campaign. She scored in double-figures seven times including a season-high 16 points twice, including against North Florida. She was a one-time winner of the ASUN Freshman of the Week.
Award Winners
Player of the Year:
Tatum Brown, Jacksonville
Defensive Player of the Year:
Tatum Brown, Jacksonville
All-ASUN Team
Tatum Brown, Jacksonville
Aniah Smith, Jacksonville
Sinai Douglas, FGCU
Denika Lightbourne, FGCU
Eve Alexander, FGCU
McKayla Miller, Lipscomb
Hope Counts, Lipscomb
Triniti Ralston, Bellarmine
Alonya Waldon, North Florida
Brenae Jones-Grant, Queens
'Phins Picked First In Coaches Poll
The reigning champions were picked first in the preseason coaches poll, earning four first-place votes. The Dolphins finished second in the regular season last year before winning the conference tournament and punching their ticket to March Madness.
This season's tournament will have a slightly different format. All eight teams in the conference will still make the tournament, but the third and fourth seeds will earn a first-round bye. The top two seeds in the league will earn a double-bye straight to the semi-finals.
Coaches Poll
1. Jacksonville (4)
1. FGCU (3)
3. Lipscomb
4. Stetson
5. North Florida
6. Queens (1)
7. West Florida
8. Bellarmine
