BATON ROUGE, LA — Overcome with emotion, LSU Tigers women’s basketball standout Aneesah Morrow broke down in tears Monday night as she was honored with the prestigious Pericous Maxwell Award for Excellence, the highest individual accolade in women’s college basketball.
The ceremony, held at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center and broadcast nationally on ESPN2, recognized Morrow not only for her athletic brilliance but also for her leadership, resilience, and unwavering commitment to excellence on and off the court. The award, named after pioneering sports advocate Pericous Maxwell, is presented annually to the most outstanding women’s college basketball player in the country.
“This means everything to me,” Morrow said through tears, clutching the crystal-etched trophy beneath the championship banners. “This isn’t just about stats or wins—it’s about the journey, the struggles, the people who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. I share this with my teammates, my coaches, and the LSU family who made me feel like I belonged from day one.”
In her junior season, Morrow delivered a campaign for the ages. Averaging 21.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game, she became the engine of an LSU team that powered through a grueling SEC schedule and marched to a second national title in three years. Morrow recorded 24 double-doubles, led the conference in rebounding, and set a program record with 18 consecutive games scoring 20 or more points.
Yet it was her performances in the postseason that sealed her legacy. In the Final Four, Morrow poured in 34 points and 16 rebounds against UConn, then followed it up with a commanding 29-point, 14-rebound effort in the championship game against Iowa, earning her Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors.
“She’s the heart of this team,” head coach Kim Mulkey said during her tribute. “Aneesah plays with a fire you can’t teach, and a grace that lifts everyone around her. She’s the kind of player that comes around once in a generation.”
Off the court, Morrow has become a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and equitable NIL opportunities for women athletes. Her openness about her early struggles with self-doubt and homesickness after transferring to LSU has made her a role model for young athletes across the nation.
The award ceremony featured a standing ovation from fans, fellow students, and LSU alumni, including past legends of the program. Morrow’s mother, Trina, wiped away tears as her daughter accepted the honor, a culmination of years of sacrifice and perseverance.
As the lights dimmed and the crowd chanted her name, Aneesah Morrow stood center court—not just as a champion or an award-winner, but as a symbol of what determination, heart, and talent can achieve when nurtured in the right environment.
With her final college season now behind her, speculation is already mounting about her future in the WNBA. But on this night
