As the only Big 12 player to average a double-double during the 2011-12 season, ISU women’s basketball forward Chelsea Poppens was named to the All-Big 12 First Team unanimously. 

In her senior season, Poppens will have a chance at a much bigger award as the Aplington-Parkersburg, Iowa, native was named to the Naismith Player of the Year watch list Thursday. 

A total of 50 players are named to the women’s watch list based on performance from the previous season and expectations for the 2012-13 season. Last season Poppens posted averages of 14.2 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.

In the team’s first regular season game against Western Illinois on Sunday, Poppens got off to a quick start, scoring 23 points to go with 15 rebounds. She also surpassed 1,000 career points, and she is now only 151 rebounds from moving to No. 2 all-time in ISU women’s basketball history. 

The Cyclones will return to the court for their second game of the season on Sunday at Hilton Coliseum. Tipoff for that game is set for 1 p.m.