Kansas University junior Danielle McCray, right, goes up against Missouri’s Bekah Mills in the Jayhawks’ victory on January 14 at Allen Fieldhouse. McCray was named to the All-Big 12 first team on Monday, becoming the fourth KU women’s player to earn that honor.

Kansas senior Danielle McCray has been selected as the Big 12’s women’s basketball Preseason Player of the Year in a vote of the league’s coaches.

McCray earned All-Big 12 first team and honorable mention All-America honors last season after averaging 21.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.

“I am thrilled to earn this honor,” McCray said in a release. “My coaches and teammates push me hard each and every day in practice and without them I would not be in this position. I have a lot of respect for all of the players in our league, so I am really flattered to earn this award.”

McCray is the first KU women’s player to be named Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year since Tamecka Dixon in 1996.

“This is an exciting honor for Danielle,” KU coach Bonnie Henrickson said in a release. “Danielle has worked extremely hard on her game, and competing in the Big 12, the best conference in America, has really helped grow her game.”

The 5-foot-11 McCray led the Big 12 in three-point percentage last season (42.6 percent) and also was fifth in free-throw shooting (83.1 percent).

Danielle Adams of Texas A&M was chosen Preseason Newcomer of the Year, and Baylor’s Brittney Griner was selected as Preseason Freshman of the Year.

Big 12 coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players.