Grace Slaughter Named to Cheryl Miller Award Mid-Season Watch List | Mizzou Women’s Basketball
- Columbia, Missouri – University of Missouri junior guard Grace Slaughter has been named to the mid-season watch list for the Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Award,...
- Slaughter has been a key offensive force for the Tigers this season, currently ranking 23rd nationally and fifth in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) with an average of 19.3...
- The Grain Valley, Missouri native has already recorded four double-doubles this season and has reached the 20-point mark in eleven games.
Columbia, Missouri – University of Missouri junior guard Grace Slaughter has been named to the mid-season watch list for the Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Award, jointly announced by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association on Wednesday, .
Slaughter has been a key offensive force for the Tigers this season, currently ranking 23rd nationally and fifth in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) with an average of 19.3 points per game. She’s also significantly improved her rebounding, averaging 7.2 rebounds per contest, a substantial increase from her previous season. Her recent shooting form has been particularly impressive, connecting on 45.2 percent of her three-point attempts over the last ten games.
The Grain Valley, Missouri native has already recorded four double-doubles this season and has reached the 20-point mark in eleven games. A standout performance came on November 29th against Northwestern, where Slaughter scored a career-high 33 points and surpassed 1,000 career points, now ranking 23rd on Missouri’s all-time scoring list.
This recognition adds to a growing list of accolades for Slaughter, who was previously named the 2024-25 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and earned a spot on the 2023-24 All-SEC Freshman Team. She was initially included on the preseason watch list for the award on October 29, 2025.
The Cheryl Miller Award, now in its ninth year, recognizes the top small forwards in NCAA Division I women’s college basketball. The mid-season top 10 will be narrowed to five finalists in late March, who will then be presented to Hall of Fame selection committees alongside Cheryl Miller herself for final consideration. The selection committee is comprised of basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.
Fan voting will open on Friday, , at hoophallawards.com and will count as one vote towards the final selection process. Fans will have another opportunity to vote during the finalist selection round.
The winner of the 2026 Cheryl Miller Award will be presented alongside the winners of other prestigious awards – the Bob Cousy and Nancy Lieberman Awards (Point Guard), Jerry West and Ann Meyers Drysdale Awards (Shooting Guard), Karl Malone and Katrina McClain Awards (Power Forward), and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Lisa Leslie Awards (Center) – on a date yet to be determined.
Past winners of the Cheryl Miller Award include Madison Booker of Texas (2024-25), Ashley Joens of Iowa State (2021-23), Satou Sabally of Oregon (2020), Bridget Carleton of Iowa State (2019), and Gabby Williams of UConn (2018). Slaughter joins a distinguished group of players vying for the honor.
Slaughter’s consistent performance and all-around game have been instrumental to Missouri’s success this season. Her ability to score, rebound, and contribute defensively makes her a valuable asset for the Tigers as they navigate the remainder of the SEC schedule and prepare for potential postseason play. The award watch list recognition further solidifies her position as one of the premier small forwards in the nation.
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