Cubaj Repeats as ACC Defensive Player of the Year

THE FLATS – For the second consecutive season, Lorela Cubaj was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, highlighting a list of accolades for Georgia Tech, the Atlantic Coast Conference announced on Tuesday. Lotta-Maj Lahtinen also received recognition for the second consecutive year.

Cubaj also collected All-ACC First Team honors by both the Blue Ribbon Panel and league’s head coaches, and earned a spot on the All-Defensive Team. Lahtinen garnered All-ACC honors for the second time in her career, earning honorable mention by the Blue Ribbon Panel.

One of the nation’s top defensive players, Cubaj continues to pace the league in rebounding, averaging 11.5 rebounds per game. She has amassed 333 total rebounds thus far, which tops the ACC and ranks 5th nationally, to become Georgia Tech’s all-time leading rebounder. The Terni, Italy, native ranks second nationally, and first in the ACC, in defensive rebounds per game, securing 9.4 on average. Cubaj is averaging a double-double behind 10.7 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, making her one of only two players in the ACC averaging a double-double on the season.

In addition to her rebounding domination, Cubaj leads Georgia Tech in assists with 128 to average 4.4 assists per game, making the Yellow Jacket the only post player in the league to lead their team in assists. Her 4.4 assists per game average ranks second overall in the ACC.

In recognition of her performance this season, Cubaj has landed on several national watch lists, most recently being named a semifinalist for the 2022 Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year Award. She also owns a spot on the Wade Trophy Watch List, Naismith Player of the Year Midseason Team and Katrina McClain Top 10 List.

Lahtinen is currently leading the Yellow Jackets in scoring, averaging 11.2 points per game. She has started 28 games this season and ties for the team lead in steals with 41 on the year. She also ranks second on the team in assists with 117, averaging 4.2 assists per game. The Helsinki, Finland, native has recorded 16 games scoring in double-figures and led the Jackets offensively in nine games.

Georgia Tech opens the 2022 ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament on Thursday facing either Wake Forest or Virginia. Tip is slated for 8 p.m. on RSN inside Greensboro Coliseum.

2021-22 Blue Ribbon Panel Awards
ACC Player of the Year: Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech, Jr., C
ACC Freshman of the Year: Sonia Citron, Notre Dame, Fr., G
ACC Coach of the Year: Wes Moore, NC State

Blue Ribbon Panel
All-ACC First Team
Cameron Swartz, Boston College, Sr., G
Delicia Washington, Sr., G, Clemson
Lorela Cubaj, Georgia Tech, 5th Yr., F
Emily Engstler, Louisville, Sr., F
Hailey Van Lith, Louisville, So., G
Deja Kelly, North Carolina, So., G
Elissa Cunane, NC State, Sr., C
Olivia Miles, Notre Dame, Fr., G
Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech, Jr., C
Jewel Spear, Wake Forest, So., G

All-ACC Second Team
Taylor Soule, Jr., F, Boston College
Morgan Jones, Florida State, Sr., G
Alyssa Ustby, North Carolina, So., F
Maya Dodson, Notre Dame, Gr., F
Aisha Sheppard, Virginia Tech, Gr., G

Honorable Mention
Lotta-Maj Lahtinen, Georgia Tech, Sr., G
Kelsey Marshall, Miami, Gr., G
Diamond Johnson, NC State, So., G
Kayla Jones, NC State, Gr., F
Teisha Hyman, Syracuse, R-So., G
Georgia Amoore, Virginia Tech, So., G

2021-22 Head Coaches Awards
ACC Player of the Year: Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech, Jr., C
ACC Freshman of the Year: Shayeann Day-Wilson, Duke, Fr., G
ACC Coach of the Year: Wes Moore, NC State
ACC Defensive Player of the Year: Lorela Cubaj, Georgia Tech, 5th Yr., F
ACC Sixth Player of the Year: Diamond Johnson, NC State, So., G
ACC Most Improved Player: Cameron Swartz, Boston College, Sr., G

Head Coaches Awards
All-ACC First Team
Cameron Swartz, Boston College, Sr., G
Morgan Jones, Florida State, Sr., G
Lorela Cubaj, Georgia Tech, 5th Yr., F
Emily Engstler, Louisville, Sr., F
Hailey Van Lith, Louisville, So., G
Deja Kelly, North Carolina, So., G
Elissa Cunane, NC State, Sr., C
Maya Dodson, Notre Dame, Gr., F
Olivia Miles, Notre Dame, Fr., G
Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech, Jr., C

All-ACC Second Team
Taylor Soule, Boston College, Sr., F
Delicia Washington, Clemson, Gr., G
Kayla Jones, NC State, Gr., F
Aisha Sheppard, Virginia Tech, Gr., G
Jewel Spear, Wake Forest, So., G

Honorable Mention
Kelsey Marshall, Miami, Gr., G
Georgia Amoore, Virginia Tech, So., G

All-Defensive Team
Lorela Cubaj, Georgia Tech, 5th Yr., F
Emily Engstler, Louisville, Sr., F
Mykasa Robinson, Louisville, Sr., G
Maya Dodson, Notre Dame, Gr., F
Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech, Jr., C

All-Freshman Team (Blue Ribbon & Head Coaches are the same)
Maria Gakdeng, Boston College, C
Shayeann Day-Wilson, Duke, G
O’Mariah Gordon, Florida State, G
Makayla Timpson, Florida State, F
Payton Verhulst, Louisville, G
Ja’Leah Williams, Miami, G
Aziaha James, NC State, F
Sonia Citron, Notre Dame, G

Alexander-Tharpe Fund
The Alexander-Tharpe Fund is the fundraising arm of Georgia Tech athletics, providing scholarship, operations and facilities support for Georgia Tech’s 400-plus student-athletes. Be a part of developing Georgia Tech’s Everyday Champions and helping the Yellow Jackets compete for championships at the highest levels of college athletics by supporting the Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund, which directly provides scholarships for Georgia Tech student-athletes. To learn more about supporting the Yellow Jackets, visit atfund.org.   

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