2024 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Preseason Watch List

25 student-athletes representing 13 conferences named to watch list

Hopewell, N.J. (October 25, 2023) – We are proud to announce the 25-player watch list for the 2024 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award presented by Her Hoop Stats. The Becky Hammon Award was first given out in 2020, with South Dakota’s Ciara Duffy being named the inaugural winner. FGCU’s Kierstan Bell won the award in 2021 and 2022, and Massachusetts’ Sam Breen won the most recent award in 2023.

Below are the 25 watch list members, listed in alphabetical order by school. This year’s watch list includes representatives from 23 teams and 16 conferences. Gonzaga is the only team with multiple players on the watch list and becomes the first team to ever place three players on a single list. Three conferences – the Mountain West, Missouri Valley, and WCC – placed three players on the watch list.

Drake, Gonzaga, Princeton, and South Dakota have each now placed four different players on at least one watch list since the award’s inception, becoming the only teams to do so. Starr Jacobs becomes the first player to appear on a watch list for multiple teams (Arkansas Pine Bluff this season and UT Arlington last season). All stats only include games against Division I opponents unless otherwise noted.

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Starr Jacobs, Ark.-Pine Bluff, Sr., G
2022-23 Stats: 18.2 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 3.1 APG, 3.0 SPG
Previous Appearances: 2023 Preseason

After making last season’s preseason watch list at UT Arlington, Jacobs is gearing up for her first year with Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Jacobs can light up the box score on any given night, with some incredible single-game performances last season. In a double-overtime game against Sam Houston, Jacobs put up 35 points, 20 rebounds, four steals, three rebounds, and two blocks, the only such game in Division I last season and the first since 2012-13.

Caitlin Weimar, Boston U., Sr., F
2022-23 Stats: 15.5 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 1.9 BPG, 0.8 SPG
Previous Appearances: First Appearance

Weimar saw an increased role last season despite playing only two additional minutes per game and in turn, she posted about 50% more points per game (15.5 vs. 10.3 PPG) while jumping more than 10 percentage points in effective field goal percentage. She also improved slightly as a rebounder and a shot blocker without becoming more prone to committing fouls.

Destiny Leo, Cleveland St., Sr., G
2022-23 Stats: 17.9 PPG, 2.0 APG, 1.0 SPG
Previous Appearances: First Appearance

Leo was the anchor for a Cleveland State squad that went 30-5 last season, continuing to be an efficient volume scorer at every level. Leo was the only player in Division I to shoot at least 45% from two, 35% from three, and 90% from the line on at least five attempts from each per game last season, and the first since 2014-15.

McKenna Hofschild, Colorado St., Gr., G
2022-23 Stats: 20.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 7.1 APG, 1.0 SPG
Previous Appearances: 2023 Preseason, Midseason & Semifinalist

Hofschild put up a nearly unprecedented combination of scoring and assists last season, joining Caitlin Clark as the only two players since 2009-10 to average at least 20 points and seven assists on at least 45% shooting from the floor. Only Hofschild has done it while also averaging fewer than 2.5 turnovers per game.

Abbey Hsu, Columbia, Sr., G
2022-23 Stats: 17.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.2 SPG
Previous Appearances: 2023 Preseason, Midseason & Semifinalist

Hsu has been one of the most prolific 3-point shooters in the country over the past two seasons, accounting for two of the four seasons since 2021-22 with at least nine attempts from deep per game while converting on at least 35% of those attempts. Hsu’s 3.06 threes per game is second among active players in 3-pointers per game (min. 150 3PM), trailing only Caitlin Clark’s 3.47 per game.

Katie Dinnebier, Drake, Jr., G
2022-23 Stats: 11.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 5.8 APG, 1.7 SPG
Previous Appearances: First Appearance

A steady hand at point guard for Drake’s constant motion offense, Dinnebier put up an impressive combination of scoring and passing efficiency in her sophomore season. Dinnebier is one of just six players since 2009-10 to average at least 1.25 points per scoring attempt (PPSA) and an assist-to-turnover ratio of at least 2.00 (min. 10 points and five assists per game). The last three players to accomplish this feat were Paige Bueckers, Sabrina Ionescu, and Gabby Williams.

Megan McConnell, Duquesne, Jr., G
2022-23 Stats: 11.0 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 5.6 APG, 2.2 SPG
Previous Appearances: First Appearance

Possibly the only player in Division I who could put up a quadruple-double, McConnell stuffs the stat sheet in all facets of the game and was the only player last season aside from Caitlin Clark to record multiple triple-doubles. McConnell became the fourth player since 2009-10 to average at least 10 points, 9.5 boards, and five assists per game last season.

Antwainette Walker, Eastern Ky., Gr., G
2022-23 Stats: 21.0 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 2.2 SPG
Previous Appearances: First Appearance

Walker had a breakout season in 2022-23, jumping from fewer than five points per game as a senior at Marquette up to 21 points per game at Eastern Kentucky. Walker was one of just six players last season to average at least 20 points and nine rebounds. The only other player to post those averages in the ASUN since 2009-10 was Kierstan Bell in 2020-21, the first of her two seasons winning this award.

Yvonne Ejim, Gonzaga, Sr., F
2022-23 Stats: 16.8 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 0.9 BPG, 1.5 SPG
Previous Appearances: 2023 Midseason, Semifinalist, & Finalist

Ejim is one of two returning finalists for last season’s award, leading a loaded Gonzaga roster in scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots per game last season. Her sizable step forward last season came thanks to her ability to stay out of foul trouble, dropping her foul rate by nearly 20% compared to the previous season (5.8% vs 7.0%). With the extra time on the floor, Ejim averaged an additional 6.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.

Brynna Maxwell, Gonzaga, Gr., G
2022-23 Stats: 13.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.0 SPG
Previous Appearances: 2023 Preseason & Midseason

Maxwell was instrumental in opening up Gonzaga’s offense last season, making a major impact as a 3-point sharpshooter with incredible efficiency that pulled attention away from Ejim in the post. Maxwell was the only Division I player to shoot at least 94% from the free-throw line on at least two attempts per game (min. 20 games) as well as being the only player to shoot 48% from 3-point range on at least five attempts (min. 20 games). No player has done both of those things in the same season since at least 2009-10.

Kaylynne Truong, Gonzaga, Gr., G
2022-23 Stats: 15.8 PPG, 5.0 APG, 1.5 SPG
Previous Appearances: First Appearance

Truong was the Zags’ second-leading scorer last season while taking on the role of lead facilitator. Her 32.2% assisted shot rate ranked 46th in Division I and was a step up from prior seasons when she was primarily coming off the bench.

Savannah Wheeler, Middle Tenn., Gr., G
2022-23 Stats: 15.1 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.4 SPG
Previous Appearances: 2023 Midseason

Wheeler led Middle Tennessee in scoring and assists per game, and showed up in the biggest games. Wheeler put up 23 points, six rebounds and five assists in the December win over Louisville after putting up 24 in a dominant win over Missouri State the week before.

Katelyn Young, Murray St., Sr., F
2022-23 Stats: 21.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.2 APG, 0.7 BPG
Previous Appearances: 2023 Preseason & Midseason, 2022 Midseason & Semifinalist

Young continued to put up her typical efficient numbers in the Racers’ first season in the MVC, including an impressive 22.1 points per game against conference opponents, the highest average in the conference. Young is the only player in Division I to average at least 20 points and 7.5 rebounds per game on at least 50% shooting in each of the past two seasons. Only six other players have at least one such season, all of whom have been AP All-American honorees in their collegiate careers.

Diamond Johnson, Norfolk St., Sr., G
2022-23 Stats: 12.3 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.3 SPG
Previous Appearances: First Appearance

Johnson is a rare impact player to transfer from a high-major conference to a mid-major conference, and she joins a Norfolk State program that was already on the rise over the past few seasons. Last season, for NC State, Johnson put up a balanced output between scoring, defense, and facilitating with an above-average usage rate of 23.3%. Her usage rate is likely to see a jump with Norfolk State.

Kacie Borowicz, North Dakota, Gr., G
2022-23 Stats: 21.1 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 4.9 APG, 1.5 SPG
Previous Appearances: First Appearance

Borowicz’s growth over the past few seasons has been directly in line with the Fighting Hawks’ rise through the ranks in the Summit League, and she is now one of the better players in a conference that historically has plenty of top-level talent. Borowicz is the only Summit League player since 2009-10 to post multiple seasons of at least 19.5 points and four assists per game, and one of three to do so across all of Division I in each of the past two seasons.

Kaitlyn Chen, Princeton, Sr., G
2022-23 Stats: 16.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.8 APG
Previous Appearances: First Appearance

Chen guided Princeton’s offense to a successful season with such a defensive-minded roster and system surrounding her. As a rare primary ball-handler who also was the primary scorer, Chen accounted for 41.7% of all of Princeton’s made field goals between her shots and assists.

Ny'Ceara Pryor, Sacred Heart, So., G
2022-23 Stats: 17.7 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 4.3 APG, 3.7 SPG
Previous Appearances: First Appearance

Pryor, a 5-foot-3 guard, put up one of the most impressive freshman seasons in recent memory, becoming the first freshman since Kelsey Mitchell in 2014-15 to post double-digit scoring in every game of the season (min. 5 games). She also posted 14 games of at least 10 points, four steals, and three assists. No other freshman since 2011-12 has posted more than seven such games. Her 3.7 steals per game led the nation.

Grace Larkins, South Dakota, Jr., G
2022-23 Stats: 17.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 4.3 APG, 2.0 SPG
Previous Appearances: First Appearance

In her first year as a starter, Larkins broke out as the team’s most important player, shouldering a lot of responsibility for one of the top teams in the Summit League. Larkins led the team in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. She showed triple-double capability despite not completing any, with six games of at least 10 points, eight assists, and eight rebounds, tied for the second-most in Division I.

Quinesha Lockett, Toledo, Gr., G
2022-23 Stats: 17.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.2 SPG
Previous Appearances: 2023 Preseason & Midseason

After a bit of a down, but still very effective, season in 2021-22, Lockett bounced back by adjusting her tendencies last season. With her 3-point shot not as elite as it was in her sophomore year, she cut down on threes in favor of shooting more 2-pointers, where she was much more efficient. She also took on a bit more of a facilitator role averaging nearly one more assist per game while cutting her turnovers enough to set a career-high in assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.58.

Maya McDermott, UNI, Jr., G
2022-23 Stats: 14.7 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 3.5 APG
Previous Appearances: First Appearance

After two years of coming off the bench, McDermott emerged as a leader on last season’s UNI team, especially as the primary ball-handler for a team that doesn’t rely a lot on off-ball movement and instead thrives in quick transition opportunities and finding the optimal post-up and spot-up shooters, putting a lot of importance on McDermott to make quick reads.

Desi-Rae Young, UNLV, Sr., C
2022-23 Stats: 17.8 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.5 SPG
Previous Appearances: 2023 Semifinalist

Young played a major role in UNLV’s impressive 2022-23 season, leading the 30-3 Rebels in scoring and rebounding. Young shot an incredible 59.6% from inside the arc on 11.9 attempts per game while also averaging 3.1 offensive rebounds per game. She was one of just two players in Division I to post that combination of inside scoring efficiency and volume with that volume of offensive rebounds.

Sammie Puisis, USF, Sr., G
2022-23 Stats: 15.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 1.4 APG
Previous Appearances: First Appearance

Puisis was a valuable sharpshooter for USF, a team that otherwise played almost entirely inside the 3-point arc. Her ability to pour in threes opened up the paint for the Bulls’ frontcourt, and she should have even more opportunity as a scorer this season after their other top two leading scorers went to the pros.

Breaunna Gillen, Utah Tech, Gr., G
2022-23 Stats: 17.9 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 6.1 APG, 1.2 SPG
Previous Appearances: First Appearance

Gillen did everything for Utah Tech, who saw a big step forward in just their second true season in Division I (played just two Division I teams in 2020-21). Gillen was one of just two players in Division I to average at least 17 points, six assists, and five rebounds per game.

Jordyn Jenkins, UTSA, Sr., F
2022-23 Stats: 20.6 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.1 BPG, 1.3 SPG
Previous Appearances: 2023 Preseason

In her first season at UTSA after transferring from USC, Jenkins was one of just four players in the country to average at least 20 points, 7.5 rebounds, one steal and one block per game. The other three players were all AP All-Americans.

Allyson Fertig, Wyoming, Jr., C
2022-23 Stats: 13.6 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 2.0 BPG
Previous Appearances: First Appearance

Fertig was the leading scorer, rebounder, and shot blocker for Wyoming, leading them to a surprising second-place finish in the Mountain West last year. Fertig was one of two players in the nation to average at least 13.5 points, two blocks, and a rebounding rate of at least 22%, joining Iowa State’s Stephanie Soares.

Award Eligibility & Schedule

To be eligible for this award, players must compete in one of the 26 conferences deemed to be “mid-major”. The following conferences are considered high-major for the purposes of this award, and thus ineligible: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Pac-12, and SEC. In January the 15-player midseason watch list will be announced, followed by 10 semifinalists announced in February. The five finalists will be announced in early March, with the winner announced around the Final Four. The list is fluid and players may play their way on or off the list over the course of the season.

About Becky Hammon

Hammon was a three-time All-American during her career at Colorado State and led the Rams to the Sweet 16 in 1999, the program’s only appearance to date. She was signed by the New York Liberty in 1999 and traded to the San Antonio Stars in 2007, where she played the rest of her career. Hammon retired in 2014 as a six-time All-Star and a two-time All-WNBA First Team honoree. In 2016 she was named one of the top 20 players in WNBA history and was named to the W25 in 2021.

Hammon became the second female coach in NBA history when she began coaching for the San Antonio Spurs in 2014. Additionally, Hammon is the only woman to be a head coach in the NBA Summer League as well as the only woman to be a member of an NBA All-Star coaching staff. Currently, Hammon is the head coach of the Las Vegas Aces and won the 2022 and 2023 WNBA Championships.

About Her Hoop Stats

Her Hoop Stats was founded in 2017 to unlock better insight about women's basketball at all levels. We began as a statistics site focused on providing consistent, reliable, and easy-to-access data about women's basketball for both mobile and desktop environments. Her Hoop Stats has expanded to become a leading independent voice in the women's game providing content through our newsletter, podcast network, YouTube channel, and social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).