Senior Gabriela Jaquez of UCLA has been named a Mid-Season Top 10 candidate for the 2026 Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Award, according to an announcement by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) on Wednesday.
Jaquez is currently averaging a career-high 14.4 points per game in her final season with UCLA. She has scored in double figures in 17 out of 22 games and is also recording a personal best of 5.6 rebounds per game. The Camarillo, California native is close to joining the 50/40/90 club, shooting .570 from the field, .458 from three-point range, and .889 from the free-throw line over 22 games. She stands out as the only player in NCAA women’s basketball averaging at least 14 points, 5.5 rebounds, one or more made three-pointers per game, while shooting at least 50 percent overall and at least 45 percent from beyond the arc.
The list of ten candidates for this year’s Cheryl Miller Award includes Mikaylah Williams (LSU), Adrianna Smith (Maine), Yarden Garzon (Maryland), Olivia Olson (Michigan), Grace VanSlooten (Michigan State), Grace Slaughter (Missouri), Cassandre Prosper (Notre Dame), Cotie McMahon (Ole Miss), Madison Booker (Texas), and Gabriela Jaquez (UCLA).
“Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting in both of the remaining rounds starting on Friday, February 6, on hoophallawards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process.”
In mid-March, this list will be reduced to five finalists. In late March, these finalists will be presented to Erving, Miller, and selection committees from the Hall of Fame for final consideration. These committees include college basketball personnel such as media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.
“The winner of the 2026 Erving and Miller Awards 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 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).”
For more information about this year’s Julius Erving and Cheryl Miller Awards or updates on voting timelines and procedures, visit hoophallawards.com.
