USBWA News from Malcolm Moran News
Sweeney wins 2026 men's Rising Star Award
Kevin Sweeney of Sports Illustrated, who has quickly established himself as a respected voice across platforms in an evolving industry, has been named a winner of the 2026 Rising Star Award by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. Sweeney will be honored on Monday, April 6 during the USBWA Awards Luncheon at Xiber Square in Gainbridge Fieldhouse at 11:30 a.m.
Wang to receive to 2026 Jim O'Connell Award
Gene Wang, whose versatility for more than three decades made his reporting an essential part of college basketball coverage in The Washington Post, has been named recipient of the Jim O’Connell Award for excellence in beat reporting by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. Wang will be honored at the annual awards luncheon at Xiber Square at Gainbridge Fieldhouse at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, April 6.
Standout freshmen join Smith, Lendeborg headlining 2025-26 USBWA Men's All-America Team
Three freshmen, guard Darius Acuff Jr. of Arkansas and forwards Cameron Boozer of Duke and AJ Dybansta of BYU, plus graduate forward Yaxel Lendeborg of Michigan and senior guard Braden Smith of Purdue, headline the 2025-26 U.S. Basketball Writers Association Men’s All-America First Team. Freshmen dominate the complete 15-man All-America team with six selections, a record since the USBWA expanded to add a third team to its All-America selections following the 2018-19 season.
Michigan's May is 2025-26 Henry Iba Award winner
In his second season in Ann Arbor, Michigan’s Dusty May has been named the 2025-26 recipient of the Henry Iba Award as the U.S. Basketball Writers Association’s Men's National Coach of the Year.
Vanderbilt's Ralph is USBWA Women's National Coach of the Year
Vanderbilt head coach Shea Ralph has been named the 2025-26 U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) Women’s National Coach of the Year, recognizing a historic season in which she has led the Commodores to unprecedented success and national prominence.
South Carolina's Koval wins 2026 Mary Jo Haverbeck Award
In recognition of her long and distinguished service to collegiate women’s basketball, Diana Koval, Associate Athletics Director/Communications and Public Relations at the University of South Carolina, has been named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association’s Mary Jo Haverbeck Award recipient for 2026.
Thornton, Ejiofor headline Oscar Robertson Trophy National Players of the Week
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has named five Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week for games of the week ending Sunday, March 8.
Penn's Power headlines Oscar Robertson Trophy National Players of the Week
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has named five Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week for games of the week ending Sunday, March 1.
Arkansas' Acuff headlines Oscar Robertson Trophy National Players of the Week
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has named five Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week for games of the week ending Sunday, Feb. 22.
Louisville's Brown Jr. headlines Oscar Robertson Trophy National Players of the Week
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has named five Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week for games of the week ending Sunday, Feb. 15.
Massachusetts' Banks Jr. headlines Oscar Robertson Trophy National Players of the Week
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has named five Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week for games of the week ending Sunday, Feb. 8.
Arizona's Burries headlines Oscar Robertson Trophy National Players of the Week
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has named five Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week for games of the week ending Sunday, Feb. 1.
Illinois' Wagler headlines Oscar Robertson Trophy National Players of the Week
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has named five Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week for games of the week ending Sunday, Jan. 25.
Maryland's Coit headlines Oscar Robertson Trophy National Players of the Week
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has named five Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week for games of the week ending Sunday, Jan. 18.
USBWA to add five to Joe Mitch Hall of Fame
Three past U.S. Basketball Writers Association presidents, two columnists who informed readers in football states about the achievements of basketball programs, and writers with a range of audiences from a national reach to a devoted local following make up the U.S. Basketball Writers Association's Joe Mitch Hall of Fame Class of 2026 for coverage of men’s basketball.
Big Ten duo headlines Oscar Robertson Trophy National Players of the Week
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has named five Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week for games of the week ending Sunday, Jan. 11.
SMU's Miller helps knock off UNC, headlines Oscar Robertson Trophy National Players of the Week
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has named five Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week for games of the week ending Sunday, Jan. 4.
Texas Tech's Anderson headlines Oscar Robertson Trophy National Players of the Week
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has named five Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week for games of the week ending Sunday, Dec. 21.
Radford's Parker Jr. headlines Oscar Robertson Trophy National Players of the Week
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has named five Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week for games of the week ending Sunday, Dec. 14.
Iowa State's Momcilivic headlines Oscar Robertson Trophy National Players of the Week
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has named five Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week for games of the week ending Sunday, Dec. 7.