Sunnyside senior forward Nayeli Nidez-Acuña became the first local big-school player (4A to 6A) to eclipse at least 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career since Flowing Wells’ Taneisha Gossett compiled 2,043 points and 1,247 rebounds from 1990-94 on Jan. 25 in the Blue Devils’ win over Rincon/University.
Nidez-Acuña’s 13 rebounds against the Rangers in the 46-29 win gave her 1,003 rebounds in her career to go along with her 1,278 points.
She is presently at 1,301 points and 1,024 rebounds, leading the Blue Devils to the 6A South title and a 24-3 overall record.
“It means the world to me,” Nidez-Acuña said of reaching 1,000 rebounds. “I didn’t think I was going to make it. Like I said (in December), ‘We have to wait until the end of the year.’ Look where we are, we’re at the end of the season, ready to go the playoffs and we’re going to keep on striving.
“This is just another milestone going over.”
For her historic accomplishment and dominant performance in the month, Nidez-Acuña is the Jet Sports Training Female Athlete of the Month for January.
.@LadyDevil_Hoops senior forward @NidezNayeli has eclipsed 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in her career making her one of the elite to come out of Arizona. She had 18 points and 13 rebounds in the Blue Devils’ 46-29 win over Rincon/UHS, improving the Blue Devils to 22-3. She now… pic.twitter.com/iCWIhA8dgE
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) January 26, 2024
2024 JET SPORTS TRAINING FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE MONTH HONORS
January 2024: Sunnyside basketball player Nayeli Nidez-Acuña
2023 JET SPORTS TRAINING FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE MONTH HONORS
January 2023: Sahuarita soccer player Samantha Wright
February 2023: Salpointe soccer player Rylen Bourguet
March 2023: Sabino distance thrower Emerald Kwinn
April 2023: Salpointe softball player Gianna Mares
May 2023: Sabino softball player Avery Nielson
June 2023: Rincon Little League 9-11 All-Stars baseball player Rae Tanori
July 2023: AZ Titans hurdler Michelle Rushing
August 2023: Pueblo wrestler Elizabeth Valenzuela Smith
September 2023: Marana quarterback Roxi Singer
October 2023: Rincon/University cross country runner Amelia North
November 2023: Walden Grove soccer player Vivien Villarreal
December 2023: Pueblo basketball player America Cazares
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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He is a former Arizona Daily Star beat reporter for the Arizona basketball team, including when the Wildcats won the 1996-97 NCAA title. He has also written articles for CollegeAD.com, Bleacher Report, Lindy’s Sports, TucsonCitizen.com, The Arizona Republic, Sporting News and Baseball America, among many other publications. He has also authored the book “The Highest Form of Living”, which is available at Amazon. He became an educator five years ago and is presently a special education teacher at Gallego Fine Arts Intermediate in the Sunnyside Unified School District.
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