Before the season’s start, coaches and media selected senior guard Rachel Banham as the Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year.

But on Monday, a different Minnesota player took home the player of the year award. Amanda Zahui B. is averaging 18.5 points, 12.7 rebounds and four blocks per game.

Zahui B., a redshirt sophomore, helped fill the scoring void and keep the Gophers afloat this season after Banham went down with an injury in December.

Last month, Zahui B. said she strives to be the best. And considering Monday’s recognition, her hard work is paying off.

The center leads the conference in rebounding and blocked shots.

Coaches and media vote on the awards’ recipients. On Monday, the Big Ten announced Zahui B. as a First Team selection.

But she wasn’t the only Minnesota player who earned recognition.

Freshman Carlie Wagner earned a spot on the coaches’ Big Ten All-Freshman team. Wagner is third on the Gophers in scoring and averages 31.8 minutes per game.

Senior forward Shae Kelley was named First Team All-Big Ten by the media, and Second Team by the coaches. She is currently second in conference scoring for the Gophers.