MACOMB, IL – Western Illinois women's basketball standout Raegan McCowan has been named to the 2026 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award Watch List, presented by Her Hoop Stats.
Junior guard Raegan McCowan is one of 25 players nationwide recognized on the preseason list, which highlights the top mid-major women's basketball players in the country. The award, first presented in 2020, honors excellence among athletes outside of the Power Five conferences and is named after legendary Colorado State alum and WNBA star Becky Hammon.
"It is a huge accomplishment for Raegan to be recognized as one of the top mid-major players in the nation, and even more impressive to do it as a junior. The Becky Hammon award is the premier honor for mid-major players, so to make the watch list really puts Raegan and our program on the map", shared head coach JD Gravina.
This year's list features representatives from 19 teams across 12 conferences, with five programs placing multiple players on the list. McCowan's inclusion marks another milestone in her Leatherneck career as she continues to establish herself among the nation's elite mid-major talents.
"This is a great honor, not only for Raegan but also for Western Illinois and the Ohio Valley Conference. Raegan is as much of a total player as you could ask for, on and off the court, and to be recognized and associated with the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year is very special and a deserved honor," said Athletic Director Paul A. Bubb.
The 15-player midseason watch list will be announced in January, followed by 10 semifinalists in February and five finalists in March, with the winner named around the Final Four.
The Becky Hammon Award honors players from the 26 mid-major conferences, excluding those from the ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, and SEC.
Hammon, a three-time All-American at Colorado State, went on to a Hall of Fame WNBA career before becoming head coach of the Las Vegas Aces, leading them to WNBA Championships in 2022, 2023, and 2025.
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