OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — NiJaree Canady smiled broadly as she held up a gaudy championship belt with the Big 12 logo in the center. Texas Tech’s star pitcher had dominated the conference tournament, throwing 16 2/3 shutout innings in three games to claim the Most Outstanding Player award.

Last July, pitcher NiJaree Canady shook college sports when she announced her transfer to Texas Tech and landed the richest softball NIL deal ever. The reigning USA Softball National Player of the Year bolted from the hallowed halls of Stanford,

NiJaree Canady was the ace for Stanford softball but transferred to Texas Tech after the 2024 season. Explaining her transfer to the Red Raiders: