Women's Basketball | 3/7/2023 2:03:00 PM
EAST GREENSBORO – On Tuesday, North Carolina A&T women's basketball received more good news from its successful first season in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). Three
members of its basketball team earned postseason honors, led by 6-foot-3 center Jazmin Harris, who earned second-team All-CAA accolades.
In addition to Harris' first-team honor, 5-10 combo guard Maleia Bracone earned third-team and all-defensive team honors, and the heir apparent to Harris' center position, 6-4 Chaniya Clark, made the CAA's all-rookie team.
Harris, who earned honorable mention all-conference honors from the Big South Conference last season, established herself as one of the best post players in the CAA early in conference play this season. She scored in double figures in her first nine CAA games. She recorded a double-double in her first three conference games and blocked 12 shots in her first five. In addition, she shot 72.1 percent (31-for-43) in her first four conference games.
"Jazmin has been the most consistent offensive threat for us this year," said A&T head coach Tarrell Robinson. "Our offense flows when she's on the floor. Having a post player that when all else fails, you can pass them the ball, and they got you points has been a luxury."
Harris has great hands, allowing her to catch the basketball in excellent post position despite the traffic surrounding her. She can also step out and knock down 15-footers with regularity. She played in 28 games this season with 19 starts. Harris heads into A&T's Thursday game at the CAA tournament averaging 13.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game on 48.9 percent shooting from the field and 76.6 percent from the free throw line.
Nationally, Harris ranks 59th in blocks per game, 63rd in total blocks (43) and 79th in field goal percentage. In the CAA, Harris ranked second in double-doubles (7), fourth in blocks, fourth in offensive rebounding (2.96), fifth in rebounding, seventh in scoring, eighth in field goal percentage, and ninth in defensive rebounding (4.57).
Bracone transferred to A&T from Presbyterian College. In her first season as an Aggie, she played in all 29 games with 28 starts, averaging 13.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.5 steals on 40.2 percent shooting from the field and 33.3 percent from three and 70.1 percent from the line. Bracone came to A&T with the reputation of being a sharpshooter from three but has also shown the ability to get to the rim on dribble penetration, distribute the ball as a floor leader and defend.
"Maleia is special at scoring the ball, but she has proven that the other aspects of her game are just as special," said Robinson. "Her versatility and willingness to do whatever it takes for a win are infectious." 
Bracone has more top-100 national rankings than any other Aggie this season. Nationally, she ranks 37th in steals per game, 38th in total steals (73), 54th in 3-point attempts (204), 77th in 3-pointers per game (2.3) and 80th in total 3-pointers (68). In the conference, she ranks third in steals, fifth in 3-pointers per game and 10th in assists. In CAA games only, she averaged 2.7 steals to lead the league.
Clark is nicknamed Shaq, but she has infinitely more range than the actual Shaq. In 21 games with seven starts, Clark averaged 6.2 points and 4.0 rebounds on 37.2 percent shooting. She also knocked down two of the 10 3-pointers she attempted this season.
"Chaniya has proven that she will be ready to fill the void when Jazmin Harris is gone," said Robinson. "Her skill set gives her the ability to score anywhere on the floor. She has matured so much during the season. The best is yet to come."
The Aggies open CAA tournament play Thursday, March 9, at 2:30 p.m., against either Hofstra or UNC Wilmington at Towson University's SECU Arena.
