Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir, Most Courageous Award

University of Memphis Lady Tiger, Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir, was awarded the Most Courageous Award by the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA). The United States Basketball Writers Association annually recognizes a player, coach, official or administrator who has demonstrated extraordinary courage reflecting honor on the sport of amateur basketball. Along with the award, the USBWA presents a $1,000 check to the charity or scholarship fund as selected by the recipient.

Arsalan Kazemi of Rice and Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir of Memphis – two student-athletes with similar backgrounds who have had to endure bigotry and discrimination to play college basketball at their respective institutions – have been named co-winners of the Most Courageous Award. Kazemi, a sophomore forward at Rice, is the first Iranian-born athlete to play NCAA Division I basketball. Abdul-Qaadir, a freshman guard at Memphis, is believed to be the first Muslim woman to play in Division I with her arms, legs and hair covered during games in accordance with her Muslim faith.

Click here for more