Ole Miss’s Cotie McMahon Finalist for Cheryl Miller Award

Springfield, Mass. — Cotie McMahon of Ole Miss women’s basketball has been named a top five finalist for the 2026 Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Award, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced Wednesday.

This is the third time McMahon has earned a finalist spot for the award. She previously was a top 10 finalist last season and a top five finalist in 2024. She is only the third Rebel to reach the top five for a Naismith Starting Five Award, joining Armintie Price and Peggie Gillom.

Fans can participate in fan voting starting Friday, March 13, at 1 p.m. ET on hoophallawards.com. The fan vote counts as one committee vote during the finalist selection process. The finalists will later be presented to Hall of Fame members Erving and Miller, as well as the selection committee, which includes college basketball media members, coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.

McMahon has received national recognition this season, including a spot on the Wooden Award National Ballot and the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Women’s College Player of the Year Late-Season Team. The Dayton, Ohio, native has averaged 19.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game in her single season at Ole Miss. During SEC play, she increased her averages to 21.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. With 675 points, she ranks fifth in school history for points in a single season.

McMahon has scored 20 or more points in 19 games this season, tying Bianca Thomas for the second most such performances in Ole Miss history. The Rebels await their postseason fate on Selection Sunday, scheduled for March 15 at 7 p.m. CT.

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