Dauda Tapped for Cheryl Miller Award Watchlist

COLUMBIA, S.C. –South Carolina senior Maryam Dauda earned a spot on the Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Preseason Top 20 Watchlist, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in partnership with the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced today. It is the second times in as many seasons that she has been on the list.

Dauda is in her second season at South Carolina following two seasons at Arkansas, which included a standout sophomore campaign. The 6-foot-4 forward has versatility on both ends of the court and range on her shot. Dauda played in 34 games for the Gamecocks last season with her impact growing toward the end of the campaign. In six NCAA tournament games, she shot 50.0 percent from the field and from 3-point range and more than half of her rebounds came on the offensive end.

In 2023-24, Dauda made her mark and impressed her soon-to-be head coach Dawn Staley. She averaged 10.1 points and 6.3 rebounds and was the Razorbacks’ leading field goal percentage shooter at 45.5, including 31.9 percent from 3-point range. Her 2.2 blocks per game ranked 21^st in the nation and included 2.8 per SEC game, which led the league.

Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting in each of the three rounds starting on Fri., Oct. 31. In late January, the watch list of 20 players will be narrowed to 10, and then in late February to just five. In March, the finalists will be presented to Miller and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee, which will select the winner.

The winner of the 2026 Cheryl Miller Award will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the other four members of the Men’s and Women’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Nancy Lieberman Award (Point Guard), Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (Shooting Guard), Katrina McClain Award (Power Forward) and Lisa Leslie Award (Center).

No. 2/2 South Carolina will play its second exhibition game on Thu., Oct. 30, facing No. 11/11 North Carolina at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster. The Gamecocks’ home opener is set for Mon., Nov. 3, when they will host Grand Canyon at Colonial Life Arena in a 7 p.m. tipoff that will be streamed on SECN+.

Continue to check GamecocksOnline.com and the team’s social media accounts (@GamecockWBB) for more information on the program.

2025-26 Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Award Preseason Watchlist
Madison Booker, Texas
Maryam Dauda, South Carolina
Jadyn Donovan, Duke
Caroline Ducharme, UConn
Bella Fontleroy, Baylor
Yarden Garzon, Maryland
Nyla Harris, North Carolina
Stailee Heard, Oklahoma State
Gabriela Jaquez, UCLA
Skylar Jones, Louisville
Cotie McMahon, Ole Miss
Jordan Obi, Kentucky
Olivia Olson, Michigan
Tierra Simon, Richmond
Grace Slaughter, Missouri
Adrianna Smith, Maine
Zee Spearman, Tennessee
Grace VanSlooten, Michigan State
Mikayla Willliams, LSU
Sahara Williams, Oklahoma