Markowski Named Preseason All-Big Ten for Third Time
Huskers.com
Nebraska's Alexis Markowski captured Preseason All-Big Ten honors for the third consecutive season when the conference announced its annual awards on Thursday, Sept. 26.
Markowski, a 6-3 center/forward from Lincoln, Neb., was one of 10 players across the conference's 18 teams to earn preseason recognition from both the Big Ten coaches and media. She also earned preseason All-Big Ten honors as a junior in 2023-24 and as a sophomore in 2022-23, after being named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year following the 2021-22 season.
A two-time Lisa Leslie Award candidate, Markowski claimed first-team All-Big Ten honors at the conclusion of a 2023-24 season when she led Nebraska to an appearance in the Big Ten Championship Game and a trip to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Markowski, who led Nebraska with team-best averages of 15.7 points and 10.5 rebounds while starting all 35 games for the 23-12 Huskers in 2023-24, produced 19 double-doubles a year ago to push her career total to 40. She has matched Husker first-team All-Americans Kelsey Griffin (2006-10) and Jordan Hooper (2011-14) for Nebraska's career double-doubles record.
Markowski earned a spot on the 2024 Big Ten All-Tournament Team by averaging 16.5 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists over four games, including 23 points, 13 rebounds and five assists in the Big Ten Championship Game.
She enters the 2024-25 season just 44 rebounds away from becoming the sixth player in school history with 1,000 career rebounds. She is 324 rebounds away from Janet Smith's more than 40-year-old Nebraska career rebound record (1,280). Markowski, who had 369 rebounds last season, is also within striking distance of one of the top-five rebounding totals in Big Ten Conference history.
Markowski, who earned second-team All-Big Ten honors as a sophomore in 2022-23, owns 1,363 points entering her senior season.
USC's JuJu Watkins was the only unanimous choice of both the coaches and the media to earn preseason All-Big Ten honors. The sophomore guard was the preseason Big Ten Player of the Year by coaches and media.
The coaches and media were also in agreement on the top five teams in preseason voting, beginning with No. 1 USC, No. 2 UCLA, No. 3 Ohio State, No. 4 Maryland and No. 5 Indiana.
Markowski and 2024 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Natalie Potts will join Nebraska Head Coach Amy Williams at Big Ten Women's Basketball Media Day in Rosemont, Ill., Wednesday, Oct. 2. Live coverage of the event will be provided by the Big Ten Network.
2024-25 Coaches Preseason All-Big Ten Team
Makira Cook, Illinois (G, SR)
Hannah Stuelke, Cockeye (F, JR)
Lucy Olsen, Cockeye (G, SR)
Shayanne Sellers, Maryland (G, SR)
Alexis Markowski, Nebraska (C/F, SR)
Cotie McMahon, Ohio State (F, JR)
Lauren Betts, UCLA (C, JR) (unanimous)
Kiki Rice, UCLA (G, JR)
JuJu Watkins, USC (G, SO) (unanimous)
Kiki Iriafen, USC, (F, SR)
Serah Williams, Wisconsin (F, JR)
2024-25 Coaches Preseason Player of the Year
JuJu Watkins, USC
2024-25 Coaches Big Ten Preseason Rankings
1. USC
2. UCLA
3. Ohio State
4. Maryland
5. Indiana
2024-25 Media Preseason All-Big Ten Team
Hannah Stuelke, Cockeye (F, JR)
Lucy Olsen, Cockeye (G, SR)
Shayanne Sellers, Maryland (G, SR)
Alexis Markowski, Nebraska (C/F, SR)
Cotie McMahon, Ohio State (F, JR)
Lauren Betts, UCLA (C, JR)
Kiki Rice, UCLA (G, JR)
JuJu Watkins, USC (G, SO) (unanimous)
Kiki Iriafen, USC, (F, SR)
Serah Williams, Wisconsin (F, JR)
2024-25 Media Preseason Player of the Year
JuJu Watkins, USC
2024-25 Media Big Ten Preseason Rankings
1. USC
2. UCLA
3. Ohio State
4. Maryland
5. Indiana