Utah women’s basketball standout Ines Vieira has been named to the Preseason Watch List for the prestigious Lieberman Point Guard of the Year Award. This marks the first time she has earned this recognition and places her among the elite point guards in NCAA Division I women’s basketball. Vieira underscores her impact in the conference as one of three Big 12 players on the watch list, joining West Virginia’s Jordan Harrison and Iowa State’s Emily Ryan.

Vieira’s 2023-24 season has shown him to be a significant force for the Utes. He played in all 34 matches, starting 31, and averaged an impressive 33.1 minutes per match. The player, who demonstrated scoring ability as well as playmaking, averaged 8.1 points per game and shot 42% from the field and 31% from three-point range. However, what makes him different is his playmaking skills. He recorded 200 assists for the season, averaging 5.88 per game, leading the Pac-12 and ranking 13th nationally in total assists. His season-high 14 assists against Alaska Anchorage demonstrated his capacity to control play and distribute efficiently.

Defensively, Vieira was just as effective, leading Utah with 79 steals for an average of 2.32 per game. His ability to disrupt opponents and switch from defense to offense is a defining aspect of his game and adds depth to his skillset as a top-tier point guard prospect.

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The Nancy Lieberman Award honors the top point guard in NCAA Division I women’s basketball; A player who displays leadership, playmaking and ball handling reminiscent of Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman. Vieira’s inclusion on this list not only highlights his accomplishments, but also puts him in the spotlight for an award that celebrates excellence at his position. Vieira’s continued performance as the season progresses will be crucial to Utah’s success and his potential as the best point guard in the country.