FARMINGTON, Utah (October 27, 2022) – Basketball season is right around the corner and as teams within in the league prepare for the start, the Big Sky Conference office has announced its 2022-23 Women’s Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team and Preseason Most Valuable Player.
Montana State’s Darian White has been named the Big Sky Preseason MVP, after her successful 2021-22 season with the Bobcats. White was named the 2021-22 Big Sky Conference Tournament MVP and Co-Defensive Player of the Year following Montana State’s championship run.
White led the conference in steals and has been honored by conference with Player of the Week nods three seasons in a row.
Joining White on the team is Beyonce Bea of Idaho. Last season, Bea earned a spot on the Big Sky Conference All-Tournament Team and All-Conference First Team. The senior was second in the league in scoring and like White, has also been named in the Player of the Week honors three seasons in a row.
The 2021-22 Big Sky Newcomer of the Year, Isnelle Natabou, also joins White and Bea on the preseason list as she shined in her first season for Sacramento State. Natabou led the league in rebounds and field goal percentage which resulted in her being named to the All-Conference Second Team.
Natabou has also been named to the 2023 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award Preseason Watch List, presented by Her Hoop Stats.
Following her All-Conference First Team honors, Carmen Gfeller joins the list representing Montana. Finishing eighth in the league in scoring, Gfeller recorded 13.9 points per game and 6.7 rebounds per game.
Representing Northern Colorado, Hannah Simental has earned a spot on the team following her sophomore season. At the end of the campaign, Simental was named to the All-Tournament Team and All-Conference Second Team.
Montana State gets their second representative on the list as Kola Bad Bear joins the team. Bad Bear finished her junior season on the All-Tournament Team and on the All-Conference Third Team. Playing alongside White, Bad Bear was also a key player in Montana State’s championship run.
Daryn Hickok from Weber State finishes out the list as she gives the Wildcats a spot on the team following her successful season on the court. The senior finished fourth in the league in scoring as she averaged 15.2 points per game, recording 457 points. Hickok was also named to the All-Conference Second Team.
There are seven members of the Preseason All-Conference Team due to a tie for the final spot. The seven-person Preseason All-Conference Team includes six different programs and a wide-variety of talent.
The 2023 Big Sky Conference Basketball Championships will take place once again in Boise, Idaho, and run from March 4-8.
Preseason All-Conference Team
Darian White, Montana State (MVP)*
Beyonce Bea, Idaho*
Isnelle Natabou, Sacramento State
Carmen Gfeller, Montana
Hannah Simental, Northern Colorado
Kola Bad Bear, Montana State
Daryn Hickok, Weber State
* – Unanimous Selection to the Preseason All-Conference Team
^ – There are seven members of the Preseason All-Conference Team due to a tie for the final spot
