Cheryl Miller Award

Cheryl Miller took women's basketball off the court and into the air above the rim. With tremendous grace and athletic dexterity, Miller established a legacy throughout her high school and college career that is unparalleled. Playing for Riverside (CA) Polytechnic High School, Miller set the single game record of 105 points in a 1982 game against Notre Vista High School. As a collegiate forward at the University of Southern California from 1982 to 1986, Miller helped bring women's basketball to the forefront of American sports. In 1984 she led the Olympic team to gold scoring better than 16 points per game. Her superior athletic ability and engaging persona placed her among the elite in the world of college and professional athletics. In 1986, Sports Illustrated named Miller as the best male or female player in college basketball. In a spectacular career, Miller scored 3,018 total career points and was a four-time All-America. Miller was named Naismith Player of the Year three times and earned the Wade Trophy once.

Past Winners
2024 Top Five Finalists



Player Name School
Photo of Madison Booker Madison Booker Texas
Photo of Rickea Jackson Rickea Jackson Tennessee
Photo of Cotie McMahon Cotie McMahon Ohio State
Photo of Aneesah Morrow Aneesah Morrow LSU
Photo of Alyssa Ustby Alyssa Ustby UNC

Miller's Career Highlights

College
  • USC (1982-1986)
College Playing Highlights
  • Wade Trophy Winner (1985)
  • Honda Sports Award for Basketball (1984, 1985)
  • Broderick Cup Award Winner (1984)
  • WBCA Player of the Year (1984, 1985)
  • Four-time Kodak All-American (1983, 1984, 1985, 1986)
  • Naismith College Player of Year (1984, 1985, 1986)
  • NCAA Championship (1983, 1984)
  • NCAA Tournament MVP (1983, 1984)
  • Holds USC’s career record for points (3,018), rebounds (1,534), field goals made (1,159), free throws made (700), games played (128), and steals (462)
  • First basketball player (men’s or women’s) to have their jersey retired at USC
  • Won a gold medal with USA Basketball in the 1984 Summer Olympics

Past Winners

Year Player Name School
2023 Ashley Joens Iowa State
2022 Ashley Joens Iowa State
2021 Ashley Joens Iowa State
2020 Satou Sabally University of Oregon
2019 Bridget Carleton Iowa St. University
2018 Gabby Williams University of Connecticut