Unique Thompson named to Wooden Award Midseason Top 25

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Shanna Lockwood/AU Athletics

AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn senior Unique Thompson has been named to the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 Watch List, the Los Angeles Athletic Club announced Wednesday.

Thompson, a 6-3 forward from Theodore, Ala., has been a dominant force under the basket for the Tigers so far in 2020-21. She leads the SEC and is second nationally with 15.3 rebounds per game, and she ranks fourth in the SEC in scoring with 18.8 points per contest. Thompson also leads the nation in double-doubles with seven so far this season.

She is the nation's active career leader in rebounds (1,010) and double-doubles (49), and she is the SEC's active career leader in steals (162). Thompson has posted two games this season with at least 20 points and 20 rebounds; Auburn had only had five such performances in program history prior to this season.

The SEC leads all conferences with nine selections to the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25.

Players on the list are considered strong candidates for the 2021 John R. Wooden Award Women's Player of the Year presented by Wendy's. The winner of the award will be announced following the conclusion of the 2021 NCAA Tournament.

2021 Wooden Award Midseason Top 25
Aliyah Boston, South Carolina
Paige Bueckers, UConn
Caitlin Clark, Iowa
Charli Collier, Texas
Zia Cooke, South Carolina
Elissa Cunane, NC State
Rennia Davis, Tennessee
Chelsea Dungee, Arkansas
Dana Evans, Louisville
Arella Guirantes, Rutgers
Naz Hillmon, Michigan
Rhyne Howard, Kentucky
Rickea Jackson, Mississippi State
Ashley Joens, Iowa State
Haley Jones, Stanford
N'dea Jones, Texas A&M
Aari McDonald, Arizona
Olivia Nelson-Ododa, UConn
Michaela Onyenwere, UCLA
Lindsey Pulliam, Northwestern
Destiny Slocum, Arkansas
NaLyssa Smith, Baylor
Unique Thompson, Auburn
Christyn Williams, UConn
Kiana Williams, Stanford