FORT MYERS, Fla.- Florida SouthWestern State sophomore and Suncoast Conference Player of the Year Za'Nautica Downs has been named a finalist for the World Exposure National Player of the Year.  

 

Downs played in all 31 games, starting 28 for the Buccaneers this season, leading them to a 24-7 record and a top 15 national ranking throughout the 2019-2020 season.  She led the Bucs, averaging 18.7 points per game, shooting especially well from the three point line (37%) and the free throw line (84%) this season.  She wasn't just a force scoring though, finishing second on the team in assists at 2.3 per game and steals at 2.2 per contest.  

 

Downs has filled her trophy case this season, not only helping the Bucs to a Suncoast Conference Championship for the second straight year, but personally being named the Suncoast Conference Player of the Year, FCSAA All-State, First Team All-Suncoast Conference, as well as collecting FCSAA and NJCAA National Player of the Week awards during the season.  

 

Downs is one of 15 national finalists for the award.  She is one of four players from Florida in the running for it including Miami Dade's Daliyah Brown, Gulf Coast's Alana Smith, and Northwest Florida State's Fapou Semebene.