University of North Carolina Athletics
October 28, 2026 | Women's Basketball
ATLANTA – Poised to make a splash in Carolina Blue, the play of women's basketball's Achol Akot has been recognized with the senior named to the 20-player preseason watch list for the Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Award. Presented annually by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, the organizing group honors the best college players of the year across the Naismith Starting 5 awards.
After a breakout season at Oklahoma State, Akot transferred to North Carolina after a junior season in which she averaged 12.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game for the Cowgirls.
Named Honorable Mention All-Big 12, Akot shot 63.3% from the floor to rank second in the league and sixth nationally. This past season in Stillwater was the best of her career, with 21 games in double-figure scoring and six double-doubles after starting in all 34 games.
Akot and the Tar Heels open the 2026-27 campaign on Monday, Nov. 2 in Paris, France, facing No. 21 Oklahoma from Adidas Arena in the 2026 Oui Play. Tip against the Sooners is set for 2:30 p.m. ET, airing nationally on ESPN2.
Stay up to date with the latest North Carolina women's basketball news on X at @UNCWBB, Instagram @UNCWBB and Facebook at Carolina Women's Basketball.
After a breakout season at Oklahoma State, Akot transferred to North Carolina after a junior season in which she averaged 12.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game for the Cowgirls.
Named Honorable Mention All-Big 12, Akot shot 63.3% from the floor to rank second in the league and sixth nationally. This past season in Stillwater was the best of her career, with 21 games in double-figure scoring and six double-doubles after starting in all 34 games.
Akot and the Tar Heels open the 2026-27 campaign on Monday, Nov. 2 in Paris, France, facing No. 21 Oklahoma from Adidas Arena in the 2026 Oui Play. Tip against the Sooners is set for 2:30 p.m. ET, airing nationally on ESPN2.
Stay up to date with the latest North Carolina women's basketball news on X at @UNCWBB, Instagram @UNCWBB and Facebook at Carolina Women's Basketball.
| Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Award | |
| NAME | SCHOOL |
| McKinna Brackens | Arizona State |
| Skylar Jones | Baylor |
| Jadyn Donovan | Duke |
| Berry Wallace | Illinois |
| Mackenly Randolph | Louisville |
| Mikaylah Williams | LSU |
| Bri McDaniel | Maryland |
| Olivia Olson | Michigan |
| Grace Slaughter | Missouri |
| Natalie Potts | Nebraska |
| Achol Akot | North Carolina |
| Sahara Williams | Oklahoma |
| Stailee Heard | Oklahoma State |
| Joyce Edwards | South Carolina |
| Kaylene Smikle | Tennessee |
| Madison Booker | Texas |
| Jalynn Bristow | Texas Tech |
| Addy Brown | UCLA |
| Blanca Quiñónez | UConn |
| ZaZa Walton | West Virginia |
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's BasketballWednesday, October 28
Wednesday, October 28
Wednesday, October 28
Wednesday, October 28