ATLANTA, Ga. (February 27, 2023) – The Southern Athletic Association has announced its 2023 women's basketball All-Conference teams.
 
Rhodes Alexys Mathangani was named the SAA Player of the Year while teammate Taylor Dupree was voted SAA Defensive Player of the Year. Keimarya Rivera of Oglethorpe took SAA Newcomer of the Year honors and Centre's Wendie Austin was named the SAA Coach of the Year.
 
Major award winners and all-conference teams were selected by the SAA's eight head coaches.
 
SAA Player of the Year: Alexys Mathangani (Rhodes)
SAA Defensive Player of the Year: Taylor Dupree (Rhodes)
SAA Newcomer of the Year: Keimarya Rivera (Oglethorpe)
SAA Coach of the Year: Wendie Austin (Centre)
 
FIRST TEAM ALL-SAA
Haley Franklin - Millsaps
Alexys Mathangani - Rhodes
Keimarya Rivera - Oglethorpe
Bailey Rucker - Centre
Brooke Westhoelter - Birmingham-Southern
 
SECOND TEAM ALL-SAA
Sydney Blankenship - Berry
Natalie Duggins - Centre
Kenadie Lee - Berry
Avery Marsh - Rhodes
Madi Pierce  - Hendrix
 
SAA HONORABLE MENTION
Berry: Elly Callahan, Elizabeth Sierzant
Birmingham-Southern: Montana Harris
Centre: Payton Herold, Emma Rose Vincent
Oglethorpe: Malia Melton, Olivia Tucker
Millsaps: Elyse Warren
Rhodes: Taylor Dupree
Sewanee: Kayla Antoine
 
Mathagani ranked among the SAA's overall top-10 in scoring (17.4 ppg), rebounding (6.3 rpg), assists (3.2 apg), and blocks (1.1 bpg). In conference play, the senior ranked third in scoring with 18.1 points a night and 10^th with 6.6 rebounds a game. She posted three SAA double-doubles, putting up 16 points and 11 rebounds against Sewanee and later posting 19 points, 12 rebounds against Berry. Mathagani's breakout game came against Oglethorpe where she exploded for 32 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. She is the third-straight Lynx to be named SAA Player of the Year, joining Allie Mayeux last season and Keira Downey in both 2020 and 2021.
 
Dupree led the conference in blocks as a freshman, averaging three rejections a game overall and 2.8 a night in conference play. Seven times this season she recorded five or more blocks in a game, including six against Hendrix and also as part of a 16 points, 13 rebounds, six blocks night against Birmingham-Southern.
 
Rivera made an instant impact in her first college season. She was the second-leading scorer in SAA play, netting 18.6 points a game against conference opponents. Her 8.4 rebounds in the SAA ranked fourth-best. Rivera posted six double-doubles on the season, all in conference play. She enjoyed a big day with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and four steals in a near upset of conference champion Centre.
 
The all-time wins leader at her alma mater, Austin was voted the SAA Coach of the Year for the second time in her career. She led Centre to a 20-8 overall record and conference championship with a 12-2 SAA mark. Austin mentored four All-SAA selections this year, including first teamer Bailey Rucker.