The Scarlet Knights may have been led by the Big 3 this season, but Syessence Davis came away with perhaps the most prestigious award of all among all Rutgers players. Earlier today, the conference announced the senior guard as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
Davis ranks fourth nationally and first in the B1G with 3.4 steals per game and needs only five more to become Rutgers' all-time leader. Her five steals in the Big Ten finale against Indiana brought her total to 289 on the year. Davis was an integral part of C. Vivian Stringer's transition offense as she forced countless turnovers, leading to many fast-break opportunities for the Big 3. She held her own on the offensive end as well, as she leads the conference and ranks fourth nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.39). In addition to Defensive Player of the Year honors, Davis earned an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten award by the media, and she is also a top-15 finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award (given to the nation's top point guard).
Betnijah Laney, Kahleah Copper, and Tyler Scaife were all honored by the media as All-Big Ten players as well. Laney is a first-team selection as she averaged a double-double to finish the 2014-2015 season. She scored 15.9 points per game and grabbed 10.7 rebounds per game. Her 18 double-doubles ranks third in the B1G. Kahleah Copper earned second All-Big Ten honors by both the coaches and media. Her 16.4 points per game leads all Scarlet Knights and ranks seventh in the B1G in scoring. Tyler Scaife made Honorable Mention All-Big Ten as her prowess against the top-25 was recognized by both the coaches and media. She scored higher on average against top-25 teams compared to all teams this season.