Malia Fisher Named Preseason All-AAC Second Team; Rice Picked Third

Posted: October 9, 2023 -- 3:28 p.m. CT

Junior forward Malia Fisher was selected to the Preseason All-AAC Second Team, the conference announced Monday morning at the 2023 AAC Media Day in Dallas, Texas. In the inaugural season in the AAC, the Owls were predicted to finish third in the conference.

Polls and preseason teams are voted on by the league's coaches. Coaches cannot vote for their own teams or players.

Fisher was second on the team in scoring a season ago averaging 11.8 points per game while leading the team with 6.3 rebounds per game. She had a team-high five double-doubles while reaching double-digit points in 18 games. She had a career high 20 rebounds and 18 points against SFA and a career high 22 points and 11 rebounds against Louisiana Tech. Fisher shot 48.2% from the floor and led the team in three-point shooting with 37.8%.

Fisher was selected to the 2023 All-Conference USA Second Team last season.

Last season's AAC regular season champion, South Florida, was selected to win the conference while East Carolina, last year's tournament champion was selected second. Rice was picked right behind the two champions while SMU was selected fourth.

The full All-Conference teams and polls are listed below.

Rice will open the season against Houston Christian at Tudor Fieldhouse on Nov. 6, with tip-off set for 7 p.m.

Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. South Florida (10), 166
2. East Carolina (4), 159
3. Rice, 135
4. SMU, 118
5. Memphis, 115
6. Tulane, 110
7. Tulsa, 104
8. UTSA, 75
9. Temple, 72
10. Charlotte, 62
11. Wichita State, 53
12. North Texas, 47
13. UAB, 30
14. Florida Atlantic, 28

First-place votes in parenthesis

Preseason Player of the Year: Danae McNeal, Gr., G, East Carolina

Preseason All-Conference First Team

Amiya Joyner, So., F, East Carolina

Danae McNeal, Gr., G, East Carolina*

Madison Griggs, Gr., G, Memphis

Sammie Puisis, Sr., G, South Florida

Temira Poindexeter, Jr., F, Tulsa

Preseason All-Conference Second Team

Dazia Lawrence, R-Jr., G, Charlotte

Aniya Hubbard, So., G, Florida Atlantic

Malia Fisher, Jr., F, Rice

Aleah Nelson, 5th, G, Temple

Jordyn Jenkins, Sr., F, UTSA

* denotes unanimous selection

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