BUFFALO, NY – University at Buffalo women's basketball senior guard JoAnna Smith earned some preseason recognition on Wednesday afternoon as she was named 2016-17 Preseason Big 4 Player of the Year, as announced at the Big 4 Media Day. Smith was also named to the first team All-Big 4, as voted on by the media and athletic communications staffs across the Big 4.
Smith was named Big 4 Player of the Year after an outstanding junior campaign in which she averaged career-highs in all major categories. The Southaven, MS native helped lead the Bulls to their first-ever NCAA Tournament as she averaged 18.