Salem, VA — The State University of New York New Paltz graduate guard/forward Brianna Fitzgerald was named as a finalist for the Jostens Trophy award, which recognizes the top men's and women's basketball players in Division III basketball.
 
The finalists were announced Thursday with Fitzgerald joining 10 others across the country including Allegheny's Isabella Antonacci, Bridgewater's Riley Corcoran, Carroll's Natie Gricius, Utica's Vanessa Hall, Washington University's (St. Louis) Lexy Harris, Scranton's Kaci Kranson, Ohio Wesleyans' Macy Miller, Capital's Samaree Perkins, Washington and Lee's Mary Schleusner and Millsaps's Elyse.
 
The Jostens Trophy, created by the Rotary Club of Salem and sponsored by Jostens, Inc., honors the most outstanding men and women's Division III basketball players of the year with the award focusing on basketball ability, academic prowess and service to one's surrounding communities. The Josten's Trophy models the Rotary International motto of "Service Above Self" by recognizing those who truly fit the ideal of a rounded Division III student-athlete. The 2025-26 season marks the 28th installment of the award.
 
Returning to the Hawks after sitting out last season with a knee injury, Fitzgerald carried her team to another SUNYAC title and NCAA run. She was named SUNYAC Player and Defensive Player of the Year, along with collecting her third SUNYAC MVP honors. She led her team in virtually every statistical category including minutes played (930), minutes per game (32.1), field goals made (186), field goals attempted (408), field goal percentage (46%), free throws made (136), free throws attempted (178), points (525), points per game (18.1), rebounds (258), rebounds per game (8.9), assists (110), assists per game (3.8), steals (96), steals per game (3.3), blocks (37) and blocks per game (1.3).
 
Fitzgerald's 525 points scored was second-most all-time in single season program history, only behind herself when she scored 545 during the 2023-24 season. Her total rebounds was a career-high and seventh most in single season program history, while re-setting the single season steals mark with 96 on the year, along with finishing tied for 10th in single season assists and 11th in single season blocks.
 
The 11 Jostens finalists will be reviewed by the selection committee made up of men and women across the country that features current and former athletic administrators and head coaches, former Jostens Trophy recipients and select members of the Division III media.
 
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