DURHAM, N.C.- Chelsea Gray has been selected for the 2011-2012 Naismith Women's Early Season Watch List.  The criteria for this list are based off of the players' performance during the 2010-2011 season and expectations for the upcoming year.  Duke is one of four ACC schools to have a player represented. 

During Gray's freshman year, she helped lead the Blue Devils to a 32-4 overall record, averaging 8.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.8 steals. She hit 39.8 percent from behind the three-point line, while her 63 steals as a rookie rank her fourth on Duke's single-season freshman steals chart.

The Stockton, Calif. native was named to the All ACC Tournament Second Team, All-ACC Freshman Team, All-ACC Honorable Mention, ACC Rookie of the Week (12/13) and was Preseason ACC Newcomer to Watch during the 2010-11 campaign.

This season, Gray has started all five games and is averaging 10.6 points, 5.6 rebounds,  4.2 assists, and 3.2 steals. 

Other ACC players who made the list include Cierra Bravard (FSU), Shenice Johnson (Miami), Ruquna Williams (Miami), Lynetta Kizer (Maryland), and Alyssa Thomas (Maryland).

The Naismith Award is the most prestigious national award and is handed out each year to the player of the year.  In late February, the Atlanta Tip-Off Club Board of Selectors will select a mid-season list of the top 30 players.  Then, in March, the list will be narrowed down to four finalists. Maya Moore, from Connecticut, was last year's award winner.

For more information about the Naismith Award, please visit www.naismithawards.com.

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