VESTAL, N.Y. – Senior forward Kendall Bennett has been named to the 2027 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award Preseason Watch List, presented by Her Hoop Stats. She is one of 25 players to be recognized and is the lone representative from the America East Conference.
 
Named after three-time Colorado State All-American and six-time WNBA All-Star Becky Hammon, the Mid-Major Player of the Year Award was first established in 2020. To be eligible for the preseason watch list, a player must compete in one of the 26 women's basketball conferences at the mid-major level.
 
Bennett - who earlier in the month was named to the America East Preseason All-Conference Team - was the Bearcats' leading rebounder (10.1 rpg.) and second-leading point scorer (14.0 ppg.) in 2025-26. She also blocked 1.3 shots per game and finished the season with a .610 field goal percentage. In addition, Bennett was named second-team all-conference last season and was also chosen to the America East All-Defensive Team.
 
"What an honor for Kendall to be on the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Watch List," head coach Mary Grimes said. "She has worked hard to improve her game every season and do her part day in and day out for our team. Knowing who Becky Hammon was as a player and what she and past winners embody is an amazing accomplishment in itself for Kendall to be recognized."
 
From the 25-player Preseason Watch List, a 15-player midseason watch list will be unveiled in January followed by 10 semifinalists in February and five finalists in March. The winner will then be announced during the Final Four, which is set for April 2-4 in Columbus, Ohio. 
 
Bennett and the Bearcats tip off their 2026-27 campaign on Monday at Monmouth.