From Washington University Athletics
Washington University in St. Louis senior forward Melissa Gilkey was selected as one of 10 women's finalists for the Jostens Trophy, as announced Tuesday by the Rotary Club of Salem, Va.
The Jostens Trophy is a national award created by the Rotary Club of Salem, Va., to honor the most outstanding NCAA Division III men's and women's basketball players of the year. The award takes into account three parts: basketball ability, academic prowess and community service. This marks the 18th year the award has been presented. Gilkey is the second women's basketball player in school history to be a finalist for the Jostens Trophy, joining Alia Fischer, who won the award in 2000.
A two-time All-American by D3hoops.com, Women's DIII News and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), Gilkey has started all 107 career games for the Bears. She ranks second in WashU history in career scoring (1,644), third in rebounding (858), fourth in blocked shots (139) and fifth in free-throw percentage (.782).
This season, Gilkey is second in the University Athletic Association (UAA) averaging 18.8 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. Her 471 points this season ranks ninth on the Bears' all-time single-season leaderboard, while her 40 blocks is eighth. Gilkey has scored in double figures in 89 career games, including 22 this season, while recording 30 career double-doubles and 26 games of 20 or more points. She has topped the 30-point mark three times, including a career-best 34 points in an 88-35 win over Fontbonne University Dec. 18, 2014.
A three-time all-UAA selection, Gilkey was named the UAA Player of the Year in 2013-14. She has received UAA Athlete of the Week honors four times this season and nine times in her career, while also being selected to the D3hoops.com Team of the Week twice in her career.
In addition to her outstanding basketball career, Gilkey is also a two-time Academic all-UAA honoree. This season, she was named to the Capital One Academic All-District V First Team, as well as the Capital One Academic All-America Third Team. Gilkey holds a 3.31 cumulative GPA while double-majoring in economics & strategy and marketing in Washington University's Olin Business School.
Gilkey has also been active in numerous community service activities. She is a three-year member of WashU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), including serving the past two years on the SAAC Executive Committee. As part of her work with SAAC, Gilkey has helped facilitate the annual Special Olympics Field Day held in the spring, while also serving as chairwoman of two committees. Throughout her four years, Gilkey has been active in WashU's Books and Basketball program, which is dedicated to providing St. Louis Public School children with an enriched after-school academic and athletic environment.
Gilkey has also participated in annual community service projects performed by the varsity women's basketball team, including assisting with rebuilding run-down neighborhoods and volunteering at Stray Rescue. As a member of Kappa Delta Sorority, Gilkey actively participates in fundraising events to benefit Girl Scouts of the USA and Prevent Child Abuse America.
The winners of the 2015 Jostens Awards will be announced Friday, March 13. The awards presentation is scheduled for Thursday, March 19 at the Salem Civic Center in conjunction with the NCAA Division III men's basketball semifinals and championship in Salem, Va., on March 20-21.