DeWanna Bonner was named the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division I National Player of the Month for January on Thursday.

The senior guard averaged 25.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.4 blocks and assists in seven games in January. She shot 53.2 percent from the field during the month, which included a career-best 35-point performance against Tennessee.

“DeWanna Bonner is a big-time player,” coach Nell Fortner said. “Big-time players play big-time basketball in big-time games.”

Bonner leads the SEC and is 11th in the nation in scoring with 21.2 points per game She also ranks in the top 10 in the SEC in rebounding (4th, 8.6), field goal percentage (3rd, 49.5), free throw percentage (3rd, 81.2), steals (t8th, 2.1) and blocks (t5th, 1.5).

She is 136 points shy of tying the Auburn scoring record, as she currently ranks fourth all-time with 1,932 points.

“DeWanna Bonner is a very special player,” Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said. “I like her skill set, she can play all five positions. She is a hard player to defend because she is so versatile and skilled.

“DeWanna Bonner is more aggressive and tougher-minded now, than ever before. She is going to be a player in this league that will excel this year and will be hard for all of us to defend.“

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