Big 12 women’s basketball head coaches voted University of Cincinnati Bearcats freshman Dee Alexander the conference’s Preseason Freshman of the Year on Thursday, Oct. 9.
The five-star guard is Cincinnati’s first Big 12 individual preseason award honoree. She committed to Coach Katrina Merriweather and the Cincinnati Bearcats in April 2024.
Dee Alexander receives the Ohio Ms. Basketball trophy for the third straight year after the Cavaliers’ state championship win against Avon Lake Friday, March 14, 2025.
Alexander, a Cincinnati native, finished No. 11 in the final ESPNW rankings and was ranked the No. 1 player in Ohio by Prep Hoops. She was just the second player to ever win Ohio Ms. Basketball three straight years and earned back-to-back Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year honors. She also led Purcell Marian to four consecutive state championships.
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Alexander is the first Bearcat signee to be named a McDonald’s All-American and is the highest-ranked recruit in program history. Alexander appeared in several national all-star showcases as a senior, including the McDonald’s All-American Games, Nike Hoop Summit and Jordan Brand Classic.
Cincinnati Bearcats women’s basketball coach Katrina Merriweather (left) with prized freshman Dee Alexander of Purcell Marian at a UC football game.
The Cincinnati Bearcats were picked to finish 12th in the Big 12 preseason coaches’ poll. The Bearcats have an exhibition with Taylor at Fifth Third Arena Oct. 27 at 6:30 p.m. The season opener is vs. Lehigh Nov. 4 at 6:30.
UC also hosts the women’s Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout against Xavier Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. and their Big 12 opener is against Oklahoma State Dec. 21 at Fifth Third Arena, with the game time not yet decided.
Season tickets for UC women’s basketball start at $75.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Dee Alexander from UC women’s hoops, Big 12 Preseason Freshman of Year
