YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University forward and West Branch High School graduate Sophia Gregory was named the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year on Monday.

Gregory follows last season’s Horizon League Freshman of the Year award by joining Lilly Ritz (2022-23) as one of only two Penguins to be named the conference Defensive Player of the Year. Gregory leads the Horizon League with 9.0 rebounds per game and 6.7 defensive rebounds per game, and she is the anchor for YSU’s defense that leads the conference in scoring defense, opponent field-goal percentage, opponent 3-point field-goal percentage and blocks. In addition to her rebounding prowess, Gregory ranks second in the Horizon League with 1.5 blocks per game, and she is sixth with 1.8 steals per game.

Gregory’s highlights haven’t just been on the defensive end. A second-team all-conference selection, she averages 10.5 points and 3.0 assists while shooting 57.1% from the field. She is the only player in the league to rank among the top eight in rebounds, assists, steals and blocks during the regular season, and her versatility is notable at a national level. She is one of five players in the country averaging at least 10 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and a block per game.

“I think there’s been so much growth for her on both sides of the ball,” YSU coach Melissa Jackson said. “But for her to get Defensive Player of the Year, I think speaks a lot to her athleticism, her instincts and all that, but the concepts and how she’s been able to pick up things this year — that growth has been tremendous. I credit a lot of that to our coaching staff. Her position coach, Shayna Gore has done an unbelievable job with her, bringing her in and watching film. She really has gotten better and grown in a lot of areas.”

YSU hosts Wright State in the first round of the Horizon League Women’s Basketball Tournament today.