Colorado University Athletics
Sherrod Named to Preseason Lieberman Watchlist
October 16, 2023 | Women's Basketball
One of 20 players on the initial watchlist
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Colorado point guard Jaylyn Sherrod is among 20 players named as preseason watchlist candidates for the 2024 Nancy Lieberman Award, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced on Monday.
Entering its 25th year, the award recognizes the top point guard in DI women's basketball. A national committee determined the list of 20 candidates. To be considered, candidates must exhibit the floor leadership, play-making and ball-handling skills of 1996 Hall of Fame inductee Nancy Lieberman.
"The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is honored to celebrate both men and women at all levels of the game," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. "The players being recognized today on the Nancy Lieberman Award Watchlist have proven that they are masters of their game and have become outstanding examples of the bright future basketball has. We look forward to evaluating this year's top point guards with Nancy Lieberman, a Hall of Famer who helped pave the way for today's female athletes.
The CU point guard is the long Pac-12 player represented on the list of 20.
"I'm so proud of Jaylyn for being named to the Nancy Lieberman watchlist," head coach JR Payne exclaimed. "She has earned the right to be listed among the nation's elite. She's one of the hardest-working young ladies I've ever been blessed to coach. I know that she will have a big year and will continue to push herself and our team to greatness."
Sherrod, a native of Birmingham, Ala., was named Preseason All-Pac-12 at the start of last week. She started all 33 games for the Buffs last season and was an All-Pac-12 and All-Defensive selection in 2023. Sherrod led the conference in both assists (165) and steals (78). She was one of five DI players who averaged 10.0 points, 5.0 assists and 2.0 steals last season. Sherrod scored in double figures in 21 games and had five or more assists 20 times. Sherrod starts this season ranked 29th in program history with 1,047 career points and is fourth in assists per game (4.5) and fifth in total assists (473).
The list will be narrowed down to 10 in late January, with plans to announce the Final 5 late in March. Players have the ability to play themselves on and off the list until the five finalists are selected.
Previous winners of the Nancy Lieberman Award include: Caitlin Clark, Iowa (2022-23), Paige Bueckers, UConn (2021), Sabrina Ionescu, Oregon (2018-20), Skylar Diggins, Notre Dame (2012-13), Diana Taurasi, Connecticut (2003-04) and Sue Bird, Connecticut (2000-02).
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, in each of the three rounds starting Friday, October 20. In late January, the watchlist of 20 players for the 2024 Nancy Liberman Award will be narrowed to 10, and then in late February to just five. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Lieberman and the Hall of Fame's selection committee, where a winner will be selected.
For more information on the 2024 Nancy Lieberman Award and the latest updates, visit hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophall and #LiebermanAward on Twitter and Instagram.
2024 Nancy Lieberman Preseason Watchlist
| Sarah Andrews | Baylor | Lauren Park-Lane | Mississippi State |
| Jaylyn Sherrod | Colorado | Deja Kelly | North Carolina |
| McKenna Hofschild | Colorado State | Olivia Miles | Notre Dame |
| Kaylynne Troung | Gonzaga | Jacy Sheldon | Ohio State |
| Makira Cook | Illinois | Makenna Marisa | Penn State |
| Caitlin Clark | Iowa | Te-Hina Paopao | South Carolina |
| Emily Ryan | Iowa State | Dyaisha Fair | Syracuse |
| Zakiyah Franklin | Kansas | Rori Harmon | Texas |
| Serena Sundell | Kansas State | Nika Muhl | UConn |
| Shyanne Sellers | Maryland | Georgia Amoore | Virginia Tech |
