KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Two members of Central Methodist University's record-setting women's basketball team were named to the 2019-20 NAIA Division I Women's Basketball All-America Team. Mercedes Jefflo (SR/Compton, Calif.) and Lanay Rodney (SR/Peekskill, N.Y.) were each recognized as First Team honorees in the national release on Thursday afternoon.
The duo becomes the 19th and 20th NAIA All-Americans in program history. It is also the eighth straight season in which the Lady Eagles have had an All-American.
Jefflo, the Heart Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference selection, led the Eagles in scoring and was ranked 6th in the nation with 19.69 points per game. She also led the program in assists per game (5.72) and steals per game (4.07) and was a top five finisher at the national level in both categories. Jefflo, who was recognized as a Third Team All-American last year, was nationally ranked in 13 categories at the conclusion of the season.
Rodney, the Heart Newcomer of the Year and First Team All-Conference honoree, led the Eagles on the boards with 5.75 rebounds per game and was nationally ranked in five categories. She finished the season averaging 18.22 points per game and totaled four double-doubles on the year.
There were 16 student-athletes on first, second and third-team that have received their first All-America selection in the top three teams. There were also a total of 52 honorable mentions.
All of the selections are made by the All-America Committee and comprises a First, Second, Third and Honorable Mention Team. There are 10 members on each of the first three All-America teams.
As a team, Central set a new program record for wins in a single season with an overall record of 31-2. The squad also claimed the highest national ranking in program history after being tabbed at No. 6 in the final coaches' poll. The program was nationally ranked in 22 categories, headlined by a No. 2 standing in total assists (602).
Click here to view the full All-American list.
