October 29, 2026 | Women's Basketball
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Madison Francis was named to the watch list for the 2027 Katrina McClain Power Forward of the Year Award on Thursday, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced. Francis is one of 20 players nationally to be recognized.
The Naismith Starting Five Awards are named after Katrina McClain [power forward] , Nancy Liberman [point guard], Ann Meyers Drysdale [shooting guard], Cheryl Miller [small forward] and Lisa Leslie [center].
Francis, a 6-3 forward from Lancaster, New York, becomes the fourth Bulldog in the award's history to be named to the preseason watch list for the Katrina McClain award since it began in the 2017-28 season. She is the first Bulldog to earn the honor since the 2023-24 season.
The sophomore forward is coming off a phenomenal freshman campaign where she finished the season leading the nation in blocks per game. She was known for filling the stat sheet throughout the duration of the season, as she averaged 13.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and 1.5 steals per game.
Francis set the Mississippi State freshman program record for most blocks in the season with 88, passing the record of 82 that was set by Martha Alwal during the 2011-12 season. She finished with the third-most of any Bulldog in a single season. Also, in just one season, she moved into eighth on State's career blocks leaders.
Francis recorded single game highs of seven blocks, the most of any player in the SEC last season, and seven steals, the second-most of any SEC freshmen. She recorded 17 games with three or more blocks, collecting six or more in four of those.
Fans can support their favorite players by participating in fan voting, which begins on Friday, October 30. The list will be narrowed to 10 throughout the season and will be cut to five finalists in March before the winners are selected.
Francis and the Bulldogs are set to open their season next Tuesday, November 3 at 6:30 p.m. inside Humphrey Coliseum. Season tickets, mini plans and single game tickets are on sale at HailState.com/tickets. Single game tickets begin at just $5 for select non-conference game, including State's season opener against North Alabama.
Visit HailState.com for the latest news and information on women's basketball. Fans can also follow the program on social media by searching 'HailStateWBK' on X, Facebook and Instagram.
The Naismith Starting Five Awards are named after Katrina McClain [power forward] , Nancy Liberman [point guard], Ann Meyers Drysdale [shooting guard], Cheryl Miller [small forward] and Lisa Leslie [center].
Francis, a 6-3 forward from Lancaster, New York, becomes the fourth Bulldog in the award's history to be named to the preseason watch list for the Katrina McClain award since it began in the 2017-28 season. She is the first Bulldog to earn the honor since the 2023-24 season.
The sophomore forward is coming off a phenomenal freshman campaign where she finished the season leading the nation in blocks per game. She was known for filling the stat sheet throughout the duration of the season, as she averaged 13.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and 1.5 steals per game.
Francis set the Mississippi State freshman program record for most blocks in the season with 88, passing the record of 82 that was set by Martha Alwal during the 2011-12 season. She finished with the third-most of any Bulldog in a single season. Also, in just one season, she moved into eighth on State's career blocks leaders.
Francis recorded single game highs of seven blocks, the most of any player in the SEC last season, and seven steals, the second-most of any SEC freshmen. She recorded 17 games with three or more blocks, collecting six or more in four of those.
Fans can support their favorite players by participating in fan voting, which begins on Friday, October 30. The list will be narrowed to 10 throughout the season and will be cut to five finalists in March before the winners are selected.
Francis and the Bulldogs are set to open their season next Tuesday, November 3 at 6:30 p.m. inside Humphrey Coliseum. Season tickets, mini plans and single game tickets are on sale at HailState.com/tickets. Single game tickets begin at just $5 for select non-conference game, including State's season opener against North Alabama.
Visit HailState.com for the latest news and information on women's basketball. Fans can also follow the program on social media by searching 'HailStateWBK' on X, Facebook and Instagram.
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