University of Arkansas at Little Rock forward Ronjanae DeGray, a two-time first team all-conference honoree, was named the Sun Belt Conference’s 2018-19 Athlete of the Year Oct. 7 as part of the league’s annual honors celebration event in New Orleans.

The Sun Belt Athlete of the Year award, which annually recognizes one female and one male student-athlete, is the highest individual honor given and based on athletic performance, academic success, outstanding leadership, and character.

DeGray is the third female student-athlete from Little Rock to earn the honor and fifth overall, joining Rashad Jones-Jennings (2006-07), Chastity Reed (2010-11), Solomon Bozeman (2010-11), and Edina Begic (2014-15). She was honored alongside Georgia Southern men’s golfer Steven Fisk.

“On behalf of the conference, I want to congratulate Ronjanae and Steven on receiving this honor. They epitomize what being a Sun Belt student-athlete is all about,” said Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill.

DeGray led Little Rock to a share of the 2018-19 Sun Belt regular-season title and conference tournament title. The two-time, All-Sun Belt first-team selection averaged a team-leading 14.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. DeGray capped her career as a member of the school’s 1,000-point club (1,234 points) and all-time leader in field goal percentage (.485) and free throw percentage (.775).

“I am very proud of the accomplishments Ronjanae has earned and this is certainly a great accomplishment for her and her team,” said Little Rock women’s basketball head coach Joe Foley. “Ronjanae stood out as an enthusiastic, goal-oriented basketball player who was dedicated to the game and always remained very positive. It was through that hard work and dedication that she improved and rose to the top of the Sun Belt. This is a great honor for her and her teammates who helped her achieve so much. She was and continues to be a great ambassador for our program and our school.”

In her four years playing for the Trojans, the Odessa, Texas, native was a part of four postseason tournament appearances – two NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship and two Postseason WNIT.

Little Rock was also recognized during the festivities as part of the Graduation Achievement Awards as an athletic department that achieved a student-athlete graduation rate higher than the general body.