ATLANTA, Ga. - Northeast Mississippi Community College's Maniya Kirksey can add one more prestigious decoration to her resume as she prepares to advance to the next level.

Kirksey was recognized as an honorable mention All-American by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) following a sensational sophomore campaign with the Lady Tigers.

"As a coach, it is such an honor to have a player selected to the All-American team," said Northeast headman Brian Middleton. "Maniya worked hard and deserves this accolade for sure. We look forward to following her throughout the rest of her basketball career."

Kirksey, who also obtained all-conference honors at the conclusion of her final season as a Lady Tiger, was one of the top five scorers in the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC).

The Tupelo native averaged 16.2 points per game, which was the most by any Northeast player since fellow WBCA All-American Calysia Phillips posted 17.7 points during the 2021-22 season.

Kirksey was even better for the Lady Tigers during the conference portion of their schedule. Her scoring average increased to 19.6 points while competing in an astounding 39.9 minutes per outing.

Her best games of the year came against MACCC opponents. She had back-to-back 29-point performances in late January against Coahoma Community College and Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

Kirksey finally surpassed the 30-point mark with 31 points in a big victory over Southwest Mississippi Community College. She reached double figures during each of her final eight matchups at Northeast.

The 5-9 guard also stepped into the post as necessary for the Lady Tigers. She posted a team-best 6.5 rebounds as a result with a season-best of 12 boards in a victory over Roane State (Tenn.) Community College.

She played in all 40 minutes of a game 14 times this year. Kirksey even lasted all 45 minutes in overtime thrillers for Northeast with Lawson State (Ala.) Community College and Co-Lin.

Kirksey also registered season-highs of six steals versus Lawson State and three blocks against Co-Lin. She had a pair of double-doubles, including a 25-point and 11-rebound effort in a win at Bishop State (Ala.) Community College.

"I'm shocked and just happy. I'm glad to receive the award," Kirksey said. "Sometimes people doubt themselves and think they put too much work in and don't get the outcome they want. I feel like if you keep on and trust the process then you'll get what you want."

Kirksey's career averages at Northeast include 10.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals over the course of 53 appearances. She was a career 43.3 percent shooter with a solid 38.8 percent showing from three-point range.

She accounted for a career-high of 13 boards as a freshman in a home triumph over rival Northwest Mississippi Community College. Her season-best as a newcomer was 15 points against Hinds Community College.

Kirksey is the 12th Northeast women's basketball player to secure All-American distinction. The list of All-Americans from the Lady Tigers also features five inductees into the Northeast Sports Hall of Fame.