October 29, 2026 | Women's Basketball
The award recognizes the top power forward in the country
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — University of Louisville women's basketball senior forward Carys Baker was named to the Katrina McClain Award Watch List, the Basketball Hall of Fame and Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced Thursday afternoon. Baker is one of 20 players on the initial watch list that recognizes the top power forward in all of women's college basketball.
Baker joins Zamareya Jones, Tajianna Roberts and Mackenly Randolph as Cardinals named to positional watch lists so far this season. Jones was named to the Lieberman Award Watch List, Roberts was named to the Drysdale Award Watch List and Randolph was named to the Miller Award Watch List.
The West Hartford, Connecticut native is coming off her best collegiate season in her junior campaign at Virginia Tech before transferring to Louisville. Baker emerged as one of the league's most productive forwards, averaging 14.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while shooting 42.9% from the field. She had 25 double-digit and 10 20-point performances.
In ACC play, Baker's production increased, posting 14.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game, including five 20-point performances. She finished in double figures in 15 of the 18 league contests. Additionally, Baker added a team-high 24 blocks defensively to go with 11 steals.
Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting starting Friday, October 30. In February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2027 Katrina McClain Award will be narrowed to 10, then to five in March. In late March, the five finalists will be presented to McClain and the Hall of Fame's selection committee, where the winner will be selected. The selection committee for the Katrina McClain Award is composed of top women's college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.
The winner of the 2027 McClain Award will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the other four members of the Women's Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Nancy Lieberman Award (Point Guard), Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (Shooting Guard), Cheryl Miller Award (Small Forward), and the Lisa Leslie Award (Center).
For more information on the 2027 Karl Malone and Katrina McClain Awards and the latest updates, visit hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophallu and #McClainAward on X and Instagram.
About the WBCA:
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. The WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to those organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. For more information, visit us online: WBCA.org, follow @wbca1981, or call 1-770-279-8027.
About the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame:
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and celebrating the game of basketball at every level—men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches, and contributors worldwide. The Hall of Fame museum is home to nearly 500 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Welcoming close to 200,000 visitors each year, the museum invites fans to learn about the game, experience interactive exhibits, and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game's elite, the Hall of Fame also operates more than 100 high school and collegiate games annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum, and events, visit hoophall.com or follow @hoophallu.
Basketball Hall of Fame Media Contact
Nicole Schuermann, Position Sports // mediarelations@positionsports.com
Baker joins Zamareya Jones, Tajianna Roberts and Mackenly Randolph as Cardinals named to positional watch lists so far this season. Jones was named to the Lieberman Award Watch List, Roberts was named to the Drysdale Award Watch List and Randolph was named to the Miller Award Watch List.
The West Hartford, Connecticut native is coming off her best collegiate season in her junior campaign at Virginia Tech before transferring to Louisville. Baker emerged as one of the league's most productive forwards, averaging 14.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while shooting 42.9% from the field. She had 25 double-digit and 10 20-point performances.
In ACC play, Baker's production increased, posting 14.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game, including five 20-point performances. She finished in double figures in 15 of the 18 league contests. Additionally, Baker added a team-high 24 blocks defensively to go with 11 steals.
Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting starting Friday, October 30. In February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2027 Katrina McClain Award will be narrowed to 10, then to five in March. In late March, the five finalists will be presented to McClain and the Hall of Fame's selection committee, where the winner will be selected. The selection committee for the Katrina McClain Award is composed of top women's college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.
The winner of the 2027 McClain Award will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the other four members of the Women's Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Nancy Lieberman Award (Point Guard), Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (Shooting Guard), Cheryl Miller Award (Small Forward), and the Lisa Leslie Award (Center).
For more information on the 2027 Karl Malone and Katrina McClain Awards and the latest updates, visit hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophallu and #McClainAward on X and Instagram.
About the WBCA:
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. The WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to those organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. For more information, visit us online: WBCA.org, follow @wbca1981, or call 1-770-279-8027.
About the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame:
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and celebrating the game of basketball at every level—men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches, and contributors worldwide. The Hall of Fame museum is home to nearly 500 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Welcoming close to 200,000 visitors each year, the museum invites fans to learn about the game, experience interactive exhibits, and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game's elite, the Hall of Fame also operates more than 100 high school and collegiate games annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum, and events, visit hoophall.com or follow @hoophallu.
Basketball Hall of Fame Media Contact
Nicole Schuermann, Position Sports // mediarelations@positionsports.com
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