From University of Rochester Athletics
For the second consecutive year, Alexandra Leslie has been named a finalist for The Jostens Trophy, one of the highest awards in Division III basketball circles.
Leslie is a senior center at the University of Rochester. She is a native of Lancaster, PA and an alumnus of Manheim Township High School. Last year, she was the first Rochester women's player to be named one of 10 finalists for the Jostens Trophy.
The award will be presented by The Rotary Club of Salem, VA on Thursday, March 15 in association with the men's basketball semifinals and finals. The Rotary Club presents one trophy for men, one for women.
This is Leslie's second basketball/academic honor in the last 10 days. Earlier, she was named First Team Academic All-District III by the College Sports Information Directors of America and advanced to the national ballot for consideration as an Academic All-American.
Rochester will make its third consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division III playoffs this weekend. The Yellowjackets are hosting a four-team pod for the first-and-second rounds. On Friday at 5 pm, Marymount University, champion of the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC), will play Massachusetts Institute of Technology, champion of the New England Men's and Women's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC). At 7:30 pm. Rochester, runnerup in the University Athletic Association, will play Stevens Institute of Technology, champion of the Empire 8 Conference.
Leslie has started all 25 games this year (UR is 21-4 heading into NCAAs). She is averaging 15.3 ppg., shooting .537 from the floor, .812 from the foul line, and has hit five of six three-point attempts. She is second in rebounding (7.2 rpg.) to classmate Lauren Deming. She has 59 assists, 47 blocked shots, and 20 steals.
Career-wise, she is ranked fourth or higher in 15 categories. She is second in points scored (1,803), third in rebounds (947), and tied for second in blocks. She is tied for 15th in assists with 206 over four years.
Leslie has been named as a First Team All-UAA player every year. Throguh her first three seasons (frosh thru junior year), she accumulated seven All-America honors. This year, she was the Pre-Season Player of the Year by Women's DIII News. She was a First Team Pre-Season All-America choice of that organization and D3hoops.com.
She carries a 3.53 GPA in a major of business. At home during winter break, she works with the Lancaster County Project for the Needy, gathering on Christmas Eve morning to deliver holiday meals to low-income families. In September, she was honored by the University as a Lysle Garnish Scholar-Athlete, annually given to 10 seniors for a combination of academic excellence and athletic achievement.
The Jostens Trophy is a national award created by the Rotary Club of Salem to honor the most outstanding men's and women's NCAA Division III basketball players of the year. The award takes into account three vital parts: basketball ability, academic prowess, and community service. The trophy models the Rotary International motto of "Service Above Self" by recognizing those who truly fit the ideal of the well-rounded NCAA Division III student-athlete. This year's class marks the 21st year the awards have been presented.