HELENA, Mont. – The NAIA announced the 2023-24 NAIA Women's Basketball All-America Teams and award winners on Monday. Jamie Pickens of Carroll was named the 2024 NAIA National Player of the Year.
In addition, Pickens was a First Team All-American selection where she was joined by Ashlee Maldonado of Providence. Jordan Sweeney from Montana Western was named Second Team All-American.
The 2023-2024 season was a dominant one for Pickens. She ranked first in the nation in field goals (250-487), free throws (159-197), defensive rebounds (297), total rebounds (396), rebounds per game (11.3), blocks (54), points (661), points per 40 minutes (23.3) and was second in the nation in offensive rebounds (99) and points per game (18.9). The forward recorded 25 double-doubles on the season and posted 32 of 34 games in double-digit points, with 11 games in 20+ points and four games in 30+ points. The senior posted her highest career totals this season in minutes (1,115), field goals (246), free throws (155), free throw percentage (75.4%), total rebounds (391), offensive rebounds (99), defensive rebounds (292), average rebounds (11.5), assists (82), blocks (51), points (649) and points average (19.1).
The highly impressive senior campaign also saw Pickens etch her name all over the top of the Carroll record book. She became only the second Fighting Saint to score 2,000 career points (Jolene Fuzesy - 2,067), and grabbed the all-time rebound mark during Carroll's NAIA WBB Championship run last month (1,035). She finished her career tied for the program lead in career points per game (15.9 ppg), and second in career blocked shots (141), while also leading all players in both field goals attempted and made.
Pickens is also the first player in Carroll history to be named back-to-back first team All-American.
Maldonado becomes the second player in Providence history to be named to the All-America First Team. She led the Argos to an appearance in the final game of the NAIA National Championship. Maldonado led the country in games started and minutes played while averaging 18.0 points per game and ranking seventh nationally with 172 assists.
Sweeney was named an All-American for the second consecutive season after being a third team selection in 2023. She becomes the fifth player in Montana Western history to twice be named All-American. She led the Frontier with 20.6 points and 5.4 assists per game. She also joined Montana Western's 1,000 point club after two seasons with the Bulldogs.
All of the selections are made by the NAIA Women’s Basketball All-America Committee and are comprised of first, second and third teams.