Baylor WBB’s Blackwell Named to Cheryl Miller Award Preseason Watch List

[Hild, Shelby]

BAYLOR ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS – October 18, 2023

Baylor WBB’s Blackwell Named to Cheryl Miller Award Preseason Watch List
Blackwell’s selection marks the second-straight year earning the honor

For more information contact: Shelby Hild; 254-405-7591, shelby_hild at baylor.edu<mailto:shelby_hild at baylor.edu>


SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Baylor women’s basketball’s Aijha Blackwell has been placed on the 2024 Cheryl Miller Award Preseason Watch List, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced Wednesday.



The recognition marks the second-straight year that Blackwell has been one of 20 candidates to earn the preseason honor.



Named after the three-time Naismith Player of the Year and Class of 1995 Hall of Famer, the annual award in its seventh year recognizes the top small forwards in women's NCAA Division I college basketball. A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates.



Blackwell saw limited action last year due to injury, making eight appearances in her first season with the Bears. A transfer from Missouri, Blackwell spent three seasons with the Tigers and was a three-time all-SEC performer. She led the Tigers during the 2021-22 campaign with 14.9 points and 13.1 rebounds per game, which was the highest single-season rebounding average in Missouri program history.



In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2024 Cheryl Miller Award will be narrowed to 10, and then in late February to just five. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Miller and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee, where a winner will be selected.



Beginning Oct. 20, fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, in each of the three rounds.



2024 Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Award Candidates*

Aijha Blackwell                     Baylor

Morgan Maly                           Creighton

Yarden Garzon                       Indiana

Kiki Jefferson                          Louisville

Aneesah Morrow                    LSU

Jordan King                             Marquette

Jakia Brown-Turner                Maryland

Mara Braun                             Minnesota

Alyssa Ustby                           North Carolina

Cotie McMahon                      Ohio State

Skylar Vann                            Oklahoma

Lior Garzon                             Oklahoma State

Kennedy Todd-Williams         Ole Miss

Madison Scott                         Ole Miss

Grace VanSlooten                  Oregon

McKenzie Forbes                    USC

Rickea Jackson                      Tennessee

Jordyn Merritt                          Texas Tech

Caroline Ducharme                 UConn

Azzi Fudd                                UConn



*Players can play their way onto and off the list at any point during the 2023-24 season



To stay up-to-date on all things Baylor women's basketball, follow the team on its official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BaylorWBB.



- BaylorBears<http://www.BaylorBears>.com -

--
Shelby Hild | Director of Communications (WBB, WTEN)
Department of Athletics | Baylor University
C: 254-405-7591

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