In a season full of expectations, transfer guard Nina Stone helped Oklahoma State in a tough Big 12 schedule that included10 games against Top 25 opponents.
For her hard work in her first year in a Cowgirl uniform, Stone has been named the Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Year.
“It’s very nice that I have been chosen Big 12 Newcomer of the Year,” Stone said. “If it wouldn’t have been for my teammates and coaching staff pushing me every day, I would’ve never gotten it.”
Stone leads the Cowgirls with an average of 12 points a game, and she leads OSU with 84 assists and 42 steals.
“I’m am very proud of Nina,” said OSU coach Julie Goodenough. “I feel like she is very deserving of the award.”
During the preseason, Cowgirl center Eliz Gomes was named newcomer of the year.
“I heard it was a tight race,” Stone said. “Eliz was chosen preseason newcomer of the year, which made me want to work harder.”
With the Cowgirls struggling to an 8-19 record including three wins in Big 12 play, Stone said she had other things on her mind.
“I wasn’t even thinking about it,” Stone said. “I didn’t know who all was in the running for it. I knew Eliz and a girl from Iowa State was, but that was it. I wasn’t worried about it because I was more worried about our season and the team.”
OSU will begin play in the Big 12 tournament against Missouri on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Stone said the award has been a confidence booster heading into the tournament.
“It gives me a lot on confidence,” Stone said. “I’ve got to go out there and show people what I can do. Being newcomer of the year is a big thing in the Big 12. Now I have to show everyone that I deserve it.”
Goodenough said the coaching staff planned on Stone being a player who would play well enough to earn the honor.
“In the recruiting process, we anticipated that she would be the top player that could come in and be the newcomer of the conference. Sure enough, she played well enough to earn the award.”
When asked if she was surprised to hear Stone won the award, Goodenough shrugged it off with a smile.
“Not at all,” Goodenough said. “Who else was there? She’s the best.”
Stone is the first OSU player to earn the award since Big 12 play began, and the first Cowgirl to be given the honor since Stacy Coffey earned the Big Eight’s version after the 1992-93 season.
“It was one of my goals to get newcomer of the year,” Stone said. “Now that I’ve got it, I’m glad I achieved my goal, but now I’ve got to set my goals higher.”
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