ATLANTA, Ga. – Duke women’s basketball sophomore Toby Fournier has been recognized as one of the standout players on the 2026 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Women’s College Player of the Year Late-Season Team. This announcement came from the Atlanta Tipoff Club.
Fournier is one of 30 Division I players selected and stands out as one of only three from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). She plays as a 6-2 forward and is currently leading the ninth-ranked Blue Devils with impressive averages: 17.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game. This makes her the top scoring forward in the league and places her eighth among players from major conferences.
Remarkably, she’s the only player in these top conferences to average at least 17 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks per game. Throughout the season, Fournier has scored in double figures in 23 of her 25 games. She’s also achieved six double-doubles, putting her third overall in scoring in the conference. Only five players in the ACC are averaging at least 15 points and six rebounds per game, and she’s one of them.
Fournier’s versatility on offense is noteworthy. She can post up, drive to the basket, and shoot from beyond the arc. Currently, she holds a .542 field goal percentage, ranking fifth in the ACC, and has improved her shooting from three-point range, hitting 31% with 11 successful shots this season. This is a significant leap from last season, where she made only six three-pointers in 35 games.
As last year’s ACC Rookie of the Year and a first-team All-ACC selection, Fournier has proven her skill. In a recent game against Louisville, she scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds, helping Duke hand the sixth-ranked Cardinals their first ACC loss of the season. Most recently, she recorded 12 rebounds and three blocks in a crucial win against North Carolina, keeping Duke unbeaten in league play with a 72-68 victory.
Over her career, Fournier has played in 60 games and is averaging 15.0 points and 6.4 rebounds. She is on track to score her 1,000th career point this season, needing just 101 more.
The Blue Devils have been on a tear, winning 16 consecutive games and currently hold a record of 19-6 overall and 14-0 in the conference. They are set to face NC State (17-8, 10-4) this Thursday at Cameron Indoor Stadium, with the game starting at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
In the world of NCAA women’s basketball, star players like Fournier show how much the game has evolved. A recent survey by the NCAA revealed that women’s basketball viewership has nearly doubled over the past five years, indicating a growing interest and appreciation for the sport. This shift could open doors for young athletes and inspire future generations of players.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Fournier and the Blue Devils. The excitement around their performances is a testament to how the sport continues to grow both in talent and popularity.
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