Double Crowned Champion: Cotie McMahon Captures Maxwell and Lisa Leslie Awards, Achieving Rare Dual Honor in Ohio State Women’s Basketball History – A Historic Double for the Buckeyes… See more 👇 👇 👇 Double Crowned Champion: Cotie McMahon Captures Maxwell and Lisa Leslie Awards, Achieving Rare Dual Honor in Ohio State Women’s Basketball History
May 1, 2025 | Columbus, OH — by [Your Name]
In a season already filled with electric moments and milestones, Ohio State women’s basketball star Cotie McMahon has achieved a feat that will echo through Buckeye history. The junior forward was named the recipient of both the Maxwell Award for National Player of the Year and the Lisa Leslie Award for the nation’s top center, marking one of the most distinguished dual honors ever attained by an Ohio State athlete—male or female.
The announcement came during a nationally televised ceremony in New York City on Tuesday evening, where McMahon stood beside some of the most decorated names in college basketball. Her back-to-back honors not only celebrate her individual brilliance but also shine a spotlight on the meteoric rise of Ohio State women’s basketball as a national powerhouse.
“I’m overwhelmed, honestly,” McMahon said with tears in her eyes during her acceptance speech. “These awards are for every one of my teammates, my coaches, and the Ohio State community who believed in me every single day. I wear this scarlet and gray with pride.”
The Maxwell Award, traditionally associated with the top football player in the country, was introduced to women’s college basketball this season as part of the Maxwell Football Club’s expansion into broader collegiate recognition. McMahon is the inaugural women’s basketball recipient—making her honor even more historic.
Meanwhile, the Lisa Leslie Award, named after the Hall of Fame WNBA legend, recognizes the most outstanding center in NCAA Division I women’s basketball. McMahon becomes only the second Buckeye to receive the honor after Jantel Lavender in 2010. Her powerful presence in the paint, dynamic scoring ability, and elite-level rebounding separated her from a competitive field of finalists.
McMahon averaged 22.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game during the 2024–25 season, leading the Buckeyes to a 31-3 record, a Big Ten Championship, and a deep NCAA Tournament run. Her commanding performances included 11 double-doubles and three 30-point games against top-10 opponents.
“She’s a generational talent,” said head coach Kevin McGuff. “But what makes Cotie truly special is her leadership, her toughness, and her ability to lift everyone around her. These awards are a testament to that.”
Beyond the stat sheet, McMahon has become a cultural icon in Columbus. Her jersey sales are among the highest in school history, and she recently secured a NIL deal with a major sportswear brand—breaking barriers for female athletes in the process.
Her achievements also carry broader significance for Ohio State athletics. McMahon’s dual crown marks the first time an Ohio State basketball player—men’s or women’s—has won both a national player of the year and positional award in the same season. The feat puts her in rare company, alongside icons like Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson.
“Cotie McMahon has not only rewritten the record books, she’s inspired an entire generation of young girls who now see what’s possible when talent meets heart and hard work,” said Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith.
As the celebrations continue in Columbus, McMahon’s future remains a topic of national discussion. With eligibility remaining, she could return for her senior season—or make the leap to the WNBA, where she’s projected as a top-3 draft pick.
For now, McMahon remains focused on enjoying the moment—and thanking the people who helped get her here.
“I didn’t do this alone,” she said. “This is for my family, for my city, and for every little girl out there who dreams of making it big. If I can do it, so can you.”
With her name now etched alongside the legends of the game, Cotie McMahon stands not only as a champion—but as a trailblazer for what’s next in women’s basketball.
