Feb. 14, 2008

SALT LAKE CITY - University of Utah point guard Leilani Mitchell has been named one of nine finalists for the Nancy Lieberman Award. The award is a national project of the Rotary Club of Detroit honoring the nation's top collegiate point guard in women's Division I basketball.

"I am very excited for Leilani," said veteran head coach Elaine Elliott. "She has certainly had a season worthy of this kind of recognition."

Mitchell has posted averages of 17.4 points, 7.0 assists and an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.99. She ranks sixth in the nation in assists, 24th in assist-to-turnover ratio, and 48th in scoring. However, among the nation's top-10 assist leaders, Mitchell's 17.4 points is best.

The criteria for the award are floor leadership, play-making and ball-handling skills. Sportswriters from across the country have determined this final nominee list. They will select three finalists from this list and one winner at the beginning of April 2008. The announcement of the three finalists and one winner will be made during the Final Four Weekend (April 6-8, 2008).

Leilani Mitchell and the rest of the No. 19/20 Utah women's basketball team return to action on Saturday at San Diego State. Tipoff in Cox Arena is set for 2 p.m. (PT).

Here is the final nominee list (in alphabetical order):
1.	Matee Ajavon	Rutgers
2.	Kimberly Beck	George Washington
3.	Shannon Bobbitt	Tennessee
4.	Kristi Cirone	Illinois State
5.	Leilani Mitchell	Utah
6.	Renee Montgomery	Connecticut
7.	Andrea Riley	Oklahoma State
8.	Kristi Toliver 	Maryland
9.	Erica White	LSU