Nov. 15, 2012

BERKELEY - California senior guard Layshia Clarendon has been named to the 2012-13 Naismith women's early season watch list, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Thursday. Clarendon, who is also a Senior CLASS Award candidate, is the fourth Golden Bear in the past 10 seasons to be named as a contender for the player of the year award.

The 50 player watch list was compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors, which based its criteria on player performances from the previous year and expectations for the 2012-2013 college basketball season. The Naismith Women's College Player of the Year presented by AT&T will be awarded on April 8, 2013, in New Orleans, La.

In late February, the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors will compile a mid-season team of the top 30 players in the nation. In March, the Naismith Trophy voting academy will vote to narrow the list to the four finalists. For more information, visit www.naismithawards.com.

A preseason All-Pac-12 first team selection, Clarendon helped lead California to an NCAA Second Round berth and Pac-12 runner-up finish last season in addition to being named a WBCA All-American for the first time in her career. The All-Region VIII honoree was also named to the All-Pac-12 first team, averaging 12.8 ppg. After scoring 20 points in the conference final against Stanford, she was also named to the All-Pac-12 Tournament team. Clarendon is 124 points shy of being in the top-10 in program history in career points scored (1,244).

No. 12 California (1-0) returns to action tonight to take on East Bay rival Saint Mary's. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Haas Pavilion.