Balogun, Evans Named Preseason All-ACC, Cardinals Picked First

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of Louisville sophomore guard Elizabeth Balogun and junior guard Dana Evans have been selected to the 2019-20 Preseason All-ACC Team, while freshman guard Nyah Green has been named to the Newcomer Watch List.

In addition, the Cardinals were picked first in the league after claiming back-to-back regular season titles. The Cardinals received 34 of 49 first-place votes from the Blue Ribbon Panel for a total of 713 points and 13 of 15 first-place votes from the head coaches to finish with 223 points to lead the voting. Louisville was chosen as the preseason favorite for the first time since joining the conference prior to the 2013-14 season.

Balogun comes to Louisville after being named 2018-19 ACC Freshman of the Year in her lone season at Georgia Tech. She started all 30 games for the Yellow Jackets last year, averaging 14.6 points per game, which led the team and ACC freshman and ranked eighth in the country among freshmen.

She led Georgia Tech in scoring 13 times, produced six 20-plus point games, two 30-plus point outings and 24 times scored in double figures.

In late September, she was ruled immediately eligible for the 2019-20 campaign, along with fellow Georgia Tech transfer Elizabeth Dixon.

Evans was named ACC Sixth Player of the Year and to the ACC All-Academic team a year ago after averaging 10.4 points. She ranked third in the ACC in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.2), 10th in 3-pt. field goal percentage (.385) and eighth in assists (4.0 per game).

After starting the first two games last season, she came off the bench in 31 of the last 34 games. In the 78-69 win over UConn, she finished with 20 points on 5-10 shooting from 3-point range, while adding a team-high four assists.

Green was named a McDonald's All-American and comes to Louisville as a five-star prospect and the No. 12-ranked player, seventh-best guard, in the class of 2019, according to espnW HoopGurlz.

Louisville is picked first in the ACC ahead of second-place NC State. The Cardinals and Wolfpack were the only two schools to receive first-place votes in the Coaches' poll with Louisville receiving 13 and NC State receiving two. Louisville (34), NC State (8), Florida State (3) and Notre Dame (4) all received first place votes in the Blue Ribbon Panel poll.

Louisville opens its season on Tuesday, Nov. 5 against Western Kentucky at the KFC Yum! Center and will play its first five games at home.

For the latest on Louisville women's basketball, visit GoCards.com, follow the team's Twitter account at @UofLWBB or on Facebook at facebook.com/UofLWBB.

Balogun, Evans Named Preseason All-ACC, Cardinals Picked First

Players Mentioned

Elizabeth Balogun

Liz Dixon

Dana Evans

Nyah Green

University of Louisville Athletics