SALEM, Va. — Millsaps College senior Elyse Warren has been named a finalist for the 2026 Jostens Trophy, the Rotary Club of Salem announced Thursday. Warren is one of 11 women selected from a pool of nominees to advance to the national phase of the award process.
The Jostens Trophy honors the top Division III men’s and women’s basketball players, emphasizing basketball skill, academic achievement, and community service. This marks the 28th year the award is presented, with finalists initially reviewed by the Salem Rotary Club before being passed to a national selection committee.
The national committee comprises athletic administrators, coaches, past recipients, and media members from across the country. Over the next week, they will evaluate the finalists, with the winners expected to be announced following the conclusion of the NCAA Division III championship events.
Warren has earned several honors this season, including the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-SAA. She set conference records for single-season and career rebounds, with 479 and 1,219 respectively. She ranks third nationally in rebounds per game (17.1) and has recorded 24 double-doubles in 24 games.
The Rhodes Scholar finalist leads her team with 14.8 points per game and has totaled 1,236 career points, becoming the first player in program history with 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. She also maintains a 53.9% field goal percentage and has contributed 33 steals, 13 blocks, and nine assists.
In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Warren has excelled academically, maintaining a 4.0 GPA and earning multiple research awards, including the Santiago Ramon y Cajal Research Award. She has been involved in advanced research projects and internships, including a summer research scholarship at the University of Tennessee Health and Science Center.
Warren actively volunteers in community service, supporting the American Cancer Society CARES program, mental health crises counseling, and women’s reproductive health education. She holds leadership roles as president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Nu Rho Psi, among others.
The finalists for the 2026 Jostens Trophy are listed alphabetically by last name, with Warren representing Millsaps College in the women’s category. The men’s finalists include players from schools such as Hardin-Simmons, Milwaukee School of Engineering, and Tufts University.
For updates on the Millsaps women’s basketball program, fans are encouraged to follow the team on social media and visit the college’s athletics website. Millsaps College, founded in 1890 in Jackson, Mississippi, is recognized for its academic excellence and commitment to community engagement.
