WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — Hartford women's basketball junior Jordan McLemore has been named the America East representative to the newly formed NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Student-Athlete Engagement Group, which will serve as an amplifying voice for women's basketball on key initiatives, legislation and various issues.

The group, which was formed in collaboration with the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), is the first of its kind at the NCAA and will have a direct connection to the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, while also serving as a conduit of information from and to the WBCA.

"First, I want to say I am so grateful and thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this group of young women," McLemore said. "I am so happy to be able to be part of something that impacts and affects so many of us young women. As a part of this new group, I want to make sure I am vocal, and that my teammates and fellow America East players are heard."

"Jordan has been an extremely active member of our team, and she has used her platform in so many ways this summer," said Hartford head coach Morgan Valley. "In our current climate, it is so important for us to listen to our young people and let them know their voice matters. We are very proud of Jordan and we are confident in knowing that she will represent both the University of Hartford and the America East Conference."

The Student-Athlete Engagement Group consists of current NCAA Division I women's basketball student-athletes from all 32 conferences who were nominated through the WBCA NCAA Division I Conference Captains program that includes a head coach or "captain" in each conference with whom the WBCA communicates regularly on important issues. Each captain submitted the name of a player from their team or conference who they believed would be a good representative for all women's basketball players in their conference.

The term of service for each student-athlete will coincide with athletics eligibility for competition. The group will meet monthly via teleconference/videoconference.

"This is such an important time for us to provide a forum for women's basketball student-athletes across the country to talk to one another and for us to listen," said Lynn Holzman, vice president of women's basketball at the NCAA. "In support of the women's basketball strategic plan, we will listen to what is important and happening with our student-athletes, and we will listen to their advice about the ongoing growth and development of our sport."

This past season, McLemore started in all 29 games and set career highs of 9.1 points, 3.3 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game. She upped her assist totals to 4.4 per game during conference play. McLemore tallied five or more assists in 10 contests, including a seven-assist output against Maine (Feb. 1) and a career-high eight assists performance against Vermont (Jan. 18).

Read more about the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Student-Athlete Engagement Group HERE.