NIJA
CANADY
NIJA CANADY IS THE USA SOFTBALL Collegiate PLAYER OF THE YEAR. SHE Is a Pitcher FOR The TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS.
Described by Tennessee star pitcher Monica Abbot as “the Caitlin Clark of Softball,” Nija Canady needs no further introduction. The Topeka, KS native has cemented herself as the best pitcher in the country, earning National Freshman of the Year honors in 2023, Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year, leading the nation in ERA and strikeouts, and becoming USA Softball’s Collegiate Player of the Year in just two years. In high school, she was also named Gatorade Player of the Year during her Junior and Senior campaigns, leading her team to back-to-back state titles. One of college softball's most prolific athletes, Nija’s on-field play is only matched by her personality and positive attitude off the field. Canady enters her second Women's College World Series in as many years May 30 with two years of eligibility remaining.
“NiJa is already throwing as fast as I was as a pro. Her limit does not exist. I think she could potentially reach 80 (mph). I don’t know — can NiJa be the Caitlin Clark of softball? I kind of believe she can.”
-Monica Abbott, Pitcher, Tennessee, holds the record for the fastest softball pitch (77mph)
What people are saying
“That’s what is going to give her a good chance to be one of the best pitchers ever,” Nyberg said. “She’s really persistent, works really hard and does good work. She’s not going to rest on her talent. She’s never satisfied. There are plenty of people out there that are talented and she’s obviously exceptional in that regard. But she always wants it to be better. That’s what has allowed her to do with her riseball.”
— Tori Nyberg, Stanford Pitching Coach
“Nija’s energy is so contagious and just fires me up all the time. She came into the huddle after the third inning when she struck out a side and she was screaming and was like, they will not score after this.”
— Aly Kaneshiro, Teammate, as quoted to the Stanford Daily
“NiJaree’s extremely competitive. I think she might be the face of college softball right now for that reason. She’s one of those standout players that just everyone knows her name in the game.”
— Reese Atwood, the top hitter for No. 1 Texas
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