SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The SUNYAC announces its 2024 women's basketball individual awards and All-Conference teams, which were nominated and voted on by the conference coaches. 

Player of the Year - Brianna Fitzgerald, New Paltz
For the second year in a row, Fitzgerald has been voted the SUNYAC Women's Basketball Player of the Year. She leads the league in points and steals with 327 points (18.2 per game) and 59 steals in league play and 522 points (19.5 per game) and 86 steals overall. She also has 92 assists and 39 blocks overall. Fitzgerald scored a season-high 35 points in a 55-53 win over Oswego in the SUNYAC semifinal game. No. 1 New Paltz won its seventh overall conference crown after defeating Geneseo, 52-47, in the championship game on Saturday. Fitzgerald was named the Tournament MVP after totaling 51 points, 22 rebounds, seven steals, six assists and four blocks for the Hawks in the semifinal and final games. New Paltz earned an automatic berth into the NCAA tournament and will host the first round taking on Penn State Harrisburg on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Defensive Player of the Year - Brooke Tillotson, Cortland
Tillotson started all 26 games for the Red Dragons this season. She totaled 265 points, 109 rebounds, 74 assists, 51 steals overall. In league play she had 199 points, 78 rebounds, 52 assists and 27 steals. Cortland was the No. 2 seed, but fell to No. 3 Geneseo in the semifinal game, 61-58. The team ended the season 18-8 overall.

Rookie of the Year - Grace Alexander, Fredonia
Alexander started all 25 games in her first season with the Devils. She was eighth in the SUNYAC with 346 overall points with 248 points scored in league play. Alexander also totaled 57 assists, 55 rebounds, and 38 steals. In conference play she contributed 43 rebounds, 36 assists and 26 steals. Fredonia finished the 2023-24 season 12-13 overall.

Coaching Staff of the Year - New Paltz
The Hawks staff led by head coach Jamie Seward and assisted by Darren Jackson and Maddie Van Pelt was voted the Coaching Staff of the Year for the second year in a row. Seward is in his 17th season as the head coach of the New Paltz women's basketball program while Jackson is in his 12th season with the Hawks. Van Pelt joined the staff this season. The team earned the No. 1 seed going into post season and won its seventh overall conference title. Three athletes were named All-Conference including the Player of the Year, Fitzgerald. The team will host the first round of the NCAA tournament and face Penn State Harrisburg on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

2024 SUNYAC Women's Basketball All-Conference Teams (PDF)