Buckeyes’ Cotie McMahon nominated for nation’s best small forward award

FILE PHOTO: DECEMBER 15: Cotie McMahon #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes shoots the ball during the game against the Grand Valley State Lakers at Value City Arena on December 15, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Grand Valley State 73-49. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

by: Orri Benatar

Posted: Mar 6, 2024 / 01:49 PM EST

Updated: Mar 6, 2024 / 01:49 PM EST

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A star sophomore on the Ohio State women’s basketball team has been nominated for a national award.

Cotie McMahon is one of five finalists for the 2024 Cheryl Miller Award, given to the best small forward in the country. The award was introduced during the 2017-18 season and has never had a winner from a Big Ten team. McMahon’s fellow nominees are LSU’s Aneesah Morrow, North Carolina’s Alyssa Ustby, Tennessee’s Rickea Jackson, and Texas’ Madison Booker.

After McMahon was named the best first-year player in the Big Ten last season, she followed that up with an improved sophomore season. She averaged 14 points per game in the regular season along with a team-high 6.4 rebounds. The Centerville, Ohio native recorded five double-doubles while shooting 47% from the floor.

McMahon has already received Big Ten accolades for this season, being named to the All-Big Ten first team alongside her teammate Jacy Sheldon and Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark. She is hoping she can lead Ohio State to a Big Ten championship double as they enter the conference tournament this week as the regular season champions.

The Buckeyes will play its Big Ten quarterfinal game on Friday at 12:30 p.m. against either Maryland or Illinois. Ohio State has not won the Big Ten tournament since 2018 but has made and lost the final twice since 2020.