After leading the Blinn College women's basketball team on offense and defense, sophomore forward Jade Rochelle earned the 2018 Don Wilhelm Award as the Blinn College women's basketball most valuable player.

"Jade is one of the hardest-working players that I ever coached, and she got the best out of her ability in every position," said Jeff Jenkins, Blinn head coach. "She definitely deserves to be recognized with this honor."

Rochelle led the Buccaneers with 11 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Throughout Rochelle's two seasons at Blinn, she recorded 577 rebounds, fifth-highest in Blinn history, and totaled 630 points.

"It is an incredible honor because I worked so hard over the summer to become a stronger player," Rochelle said. 

Rochelle earned all-conference honors as a freshman and sophomore and was named an Academic All-American this year. 

The Wilhelm Award is named after former Blinn College athletic director Don Wilhelm, an NJCAA Hall of Famer who served the college for 10 years.

Blinn finished the season with a 15-16 overall record and an 8-12 mark in Region XIV play. The Buccaneers lost to Kilgore College 71-63 in the NJCAA Region XIV Tournament quarterfinals.

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 38 NJCAA national championships since 1987.