Claire Hyde just deleted her Twitter account, so the Morton College freshman women's basketball player wasn't privy to the breaking news about her latest accolade of being selected as a National Junior College Athletic Association Division II First Team All-American. The team was announced at noon today (April 4th).
The humble Hyde was briefly speechless before passing the credit to her teammates and coaches.
"I wouldn't be in this position without the team," Hyde said. "I don't think I'm more deserving than anyone else. This is definitely an honor and a privilege."
The 5-6 Hyde is the only freshman on the 10-member First Team. Teammate
Kaylen Evans earned Second Team honors, marking the second straight year the Panthers landed a pair of players on the NJCAA's All-American squad.
Morton College connected on a nation's best 468 three-pointers with Hyde's 138 threes tops in the country for an individual. Hyde was ninth nationally in total points with 600 points for the Panthers, who finished a school-best 34-1 and placed fifth in the nation.
The Wheaton North graduate scored in double figures 32 times and kicked off the season with 25 consecutive double-figure games in averaging 17.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.3 steals per game.
Hyde, who shot 35.3 percent from three, also was the NJCAA Division II National Women's Basketball Player of the Week January 25 to 31, 2023. She also was named to the all-Region IV Midwest District B Tournament and selected all-Skyway Conference First Team.
Hyde produced two 30-point games, 11 20-point games and five double-doubles. She also was one of four Panthers with 100 or more assists on the season and had 10 games with five or more assists.
"I am proud of Claire," Morton College women's basketball coach Jason Nichols said. "She had an unbelievable season for us and was rewarded for her incredible play. Claire played a huge role in our team success."
While Hyde was a two-time DuKane Conference Player of the Year out of high school, her scholarship opportunities were limited to walk-on offers at NCAA Division I programs.
Hyde is the second oldest of seven children and comes from a family where their faith is paramount. After a number of conversations with her parents, Hyde decided to go the two-year route at Morton College.
She's on a parallel track similar to Morton College's last standout basketball player from DuPage County – Chris Palermo from Addison Trail - who parlayed one sensational season as a Panther 37 years ago under Conte Stamas into an NCAA Division I scholarship at St. Francis of New York.
A number of four-year schools want Hyde to visit. She'll take those trips before Hyde decides what do for 2023-24.
Hyde is very appreciated of the Morton College coaching staff and the opportunities they've provided.
"You see how hard the coaches work for us and you want to work that hard for them," Hyde said. "They're always there to talk to or if you want get in extra shooting. It's cool how things work out. Sometimes things don't always go your way. After being here, I felt like I wouldn't have done it any other way."
