Racers Top Coach and Player of the Year Watchlists

Turner Named to Kathy Delaney-Smith Watchlist 

(St. Louis, Mo.) — Murray State head coach Rechelle Turner earned a spot on the 2027 Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year Award watchlist. 

The award honors former Harvard head coach Kathy Delaney-Smith. Throughout her 40-year tenure, she recorded 630 wins and became the first woman inducted into the Massachusetts Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. 

Presented by Her Hoops Stats, the list features 20 coaches from mid-major conferences across the country.

The selection committee evaluates coaches based on their records, recruiting, preseason expectations, injuries, tactics and other factors.

Following a 31-4 campaign that included a conference championship and NCAA Tournament appearance, Turner’s selection was a no-brainer. Losing just one game in conference play, she was named 2025-26 MVC Coach of the Year.

Entering her 10th season at Murray State, Turner holds the program record for both career and single-season wins. 

Meanwhile, the Racers topped the MVC preseason polls on Tuesday, Oct. 13, with 41 of 44 possible first-place votes.

Her Hoop Stats will announce the 10-person midseason watchlist in January. 

Three Racers Selected to Mid-Major Watchlist 

Murray state seniors Sharnecce Currie-Jelks, Haven Ford and Halli Poock each earned a spot on the 2027 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award watchlist, presented by Her Hoop Stats. 

The award honors retired WNBA all-star and Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon. 

This year’s watchlist features players from 21 teams across 16 conferences. Murray State leads all schools with three selections.

Poock, a senior guard, was named MVC Player of the Year and MVC Tournament MVP last season. She also secured First-Team All-MVC recognition. Poock led the conference in scoring with 22.5 points per game and set a program single-season scoring record with 788 points. 

Senior transfer Currie-Jelks earned 2025-26 MVC Newcomer of the Year in her first season with the Racers. She additionally made All-MVC First Team and MVC All-Tournament Team.

Averaging a double-double with 17.4 points and 11.7 rebounds per game, Currie-Jelks set the program’s single-season rebounding record and surpassed 1,000 career points.

Ford, a senior guard, received All-MVC Second Team, MVC All-Defensive Team and MVC All-Tournament Team honors last season. In her third year at Murray State, Ford averaged 17.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. 

Her Hoop Stats will announce the 15-player midseason watchlist in February.