Grays Named to Miller Award Watch List
10/24/2018 12:05:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Senior from Detroit, Mich. named among 20 small forwards nationwide
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — DePaul senior Mart'e Grays has been named to the 2019 Cheryl Miller Award watch list for the top 20 small forwards in the country.
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association made the announcement Wednesday. Named after the three-time Naismith Player of the Year and Class of 1995 Hall of Famer, the annual award in its second year recognizes the top small forwards in women's NCAA Division I college basketball.
This came two days after Grays' teammate Kelly Campbell was named to the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year Award watch list.
Grays rebounded in a big way from missing the 2016-17 season with a torn Achilles tendon. The 6-foot, 2-inch forward from Detroit, Mich. was voted All-BIG EAST First Team by the conference's coaches after averaging 15.2 points and nearly five rebounds a game in league play.
She scored in double figures in 27 games last season including 25 points against Florida Gulf Coast going 7-for-11 from three-point range. Grays needs 115 points to become a career 1,000-point scorer.
The multi-talented, inside and outside player helped lead DePaul to its 16th consecutive NCAA tournament appearance in 2017-18 along with its fifth-straight BIG EAST regular-season title and third conference tournament crown in the last five years. She epitomizes the namesake of the Cheryl Miller Award.
"At USC, Cheryl Miller dominated, winning two NCAA Championships and cementing herself among the game's all-time greats," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. "The women recognized on this watch list should feel honored and we're thankful to have Cheryl's input and expertise as we select our Naismith Starting 5 this season."
The Selection Committee for the Cheryl Miller Award is composed of top women's college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers.
In mid-February, the watch list of 20 players will be narrowed to just 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to Ms. Miller and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. Fans will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite finalist at www.hoophallawards.com.
The winner of the 2019 Cheryl Miller Small Forward Award will be revealed on an ESPN platform during the 2019 Women's Final Four in Tampa, Florida.
Additional awards being presented and recognized at the WBCA Convention include the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard Award, the Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard Award, the Katrina McClain Power Forward Award, and the Lisa Leslie Center Award.
Also being awarded is the Wade Trophy, the sport's oldest and most prestigious national player of the year award which is presented annually by the WBCA's community of coaches to the best player in college women's basketball.
Last season, Gabby Williams of Connecticut was named the inaugural winner of the Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Award.
For more information and the latest updates on the 2019 Cheryl Miller Award, log onto www.hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophall and #MillerAward on Twitter and Instagram.
2019 Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Award Candidates
Mart'e Grays, DePaul
Leaonna Odom, Duke
Francesca Pan, Georgia Tech
Bridget Carleton, Iowa St
Erika Davenport, Marquette
Kaila Charles, Maryland
Sophie Cunningham, Missouri
Lexi Klabo, North Dakota
Courtney Woods, Northern Illinois
Jackie Young, Notre Dame
Ashanti Abshaw, Ohio St
Satou Sabally, Oregon
Miranda Drummond, Syracuse
Rennia Davis, Tennessee
Tia Wooten, Tennessee St.
Joyner Holmes, Texas
Jocelyn Willoughby, Virginia
Elisa Penna, Wake Forest
Borislava Hristova, Washington St.
Naomi Davenport, West Virginia
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The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association made the announcement Wednesday. Named after the three-time Naismith Player of the Year and Class of 1995 Hall of Famer, the annual award in its second year recognizes the top small forwards in women's NCAA Division I college basketball.
This came two days after Grays' teammate Kelly Campbell was named to the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year Award watch list.
Grays rebounded in a big way from missing the 2016-17 season with a torn Achilles tendon. The 6-foot, 2-inch forward from Detroit, Mich. was voted All-BIG EAST First Team by the conference's coaches after averaging 15.2 points and nearly five rebounds a game in league play.
She scored in double figures in 27 games last season including 25 points against Florida Gulf Coast going 7-for-11 from three-point range. Grays needs 115 points to become a career 1,000-point scorer.
The multi-talented, inside and outside player helped lead DePaul to its 16th consecutive NCAA tournament appearance in 2017-18 along with its fifth-straight BIG EAST regular-season title and third conference tournament crown in the last five years. She epitomizes the namesake of the Cheryl Miller Award.
"At USC, Cheryl Miller dominated, winning two NCAA Championships and cementing herself among the game's all-time greats," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. "The women recognized on this watch list should feel honored and we're thankful to have Cheryl's input and expertise as we select our Naismith Starting 5 this season."
The Selection Committee for the Cheryl Miller Award is composed of top women's college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers.
In mid-February, the watch list of 20 players will be narrowed to just 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to Ms. Miller and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. Fans will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite finalist at www.hoophallawards.com.
The winner of the 2019 Cheryl Miller Small Forward Award will be revealed on an ESPN platform during the 2019 Women's Final Four in Tampa, Florida.
Additional awards being presented and recognized at the WBCA Convention include the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard Award, the Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard Award, the Katrina McClain Power Forward Award, and the Lisa Leslie Center Award.
Also being awarded is the Wade Trophy, the sport's oldest and most prestigious national player of the year award which is presented annually by the WBCA's community of coaches to the best player in college women's basketball.
Last season, Gabby Williams of Connecticut was named the inaugural winner of the Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Award.
For more information and the latest updates on the 2019 Cheryl Miller Award, log onto www.hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophall and #MillerAward on Twitter and Instagram.
2019 Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Award Candidates
Mart'e Grays, DePaul
Leaonna Odom, Duke
Francesca Pan, Georgia Tech
Bridget Carleton, Iowa St
Erika Davenport, Marquette
Kaila Charles, Maryland
Sophie Cunningham, Missouri
Lexi Klabo, North Dakota
Courtney Woods, Northern Illinois
Jackie Young, Notre Dame
Ashanti Abshaw, Ohio St
Satou Sabally, Oregon
Miranda Drummond, Syracuse
Rennia Davis, Tennessee
Tia Wooten, Tennessee St.
Joyner Holmes, Texas
Jocelyn Willoughby, Virginia
Elisa Penna, Wake Forest
Borislava Hristova, Washington St.
Naomi Davenport, West Virginia
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