Michigan State University Athletics
10/27/2026 3:35:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Spartan women’s basketball junior guard tabbed to prestigious award list honoring nation’s top point guard.
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State women's basketball junior guard Kennedy Blair was tabbed to the 2027 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and WBCA Preseason Watch List for the Nancy Lieberman Award.
Now in its 28th year, the Nancy Lieberman Award recognizes the top point guard in NCAA Division I women's college basketball. To be considered for this prestigious award, candidates must exhibit the floor leadership, playmaking, and ball-handling skills of Class of 1996 Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman.
Blair was a Second-Team All-Big Ten honoree last year after finishing fourth in the B1G in assists last season, dishing out 5.2 assists per game. Blair ranks second in the conference among returning point guards back in 2026-27, behind Katie Fiso of Oregon, who was second in the B1G with 6.2 apg.
Additionally, Blair ranked third in the league in steals with 2.4 spg. She led MSU and ranked in the top 20 in the conference in scoring at 14.5 ppg. Blair was also one of two Spartans to start all 32 games. Off the court, Blair earned CSC Academic All-District and Academic All-Big Ten accolades.
Blair was one of two Spartans representing Michigan State at the 2026-27 Big Ten Conference Basketball Media Days in Rosemont, Illinois, in early October, joined by teammate, senior guard Theryn Hallock.
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame also announced the 2027 Bob Cousy Award for the men's basketball top point guard, and MSU men's basketball redshirt junior guard Jeremy Fears Jr. was one of 20 players selected to the watch list.
Michigan State is one of seven teams in the country with a men and women's player on each list, and only one of two Big Ten teams, joined by Michigan, while UConn, Louisville, LSU, Miami and Virginia also had one player on both lists.
Blair and the Spartans will open action with an exhibition against Northern Michigan on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the Breslin Center. Michigan State officially tips off the regular season against Valparaiso on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 6:30 p.m.
Michigan State women's basketball single game and season tickets are available online at msuspartans.evenue.net, by contacting the Spartan Ticket Office at 517-355-1610 or by email at tickets@msu.edu for questions or more information, or fans can visit the MSU Ticket Office in person, located in 1855 Place.
Now in its 28th year, the Nancy Lieberman Award recognizes the top point guard in NCAA Division I women's college basketball. To be considered for this prestigious award, candidates must exhibit the floor leadership, playmaking, and ball-handling skills of Class of 1996 Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman.
Blair was a Second-Team All-Big Ten honoree last year after finishing fourth in the B1G in assists last season, dishing out 5.2 assists per game. Blair ranks second in the conference among returning point guards back in 2026-27, behind Katie Fiso of Oregon, who was second in the B1G with 6.2 apg.
Additionally, Blair ranked third in the league in steals with 2.4 spg. She led MSU and ranked in the top 20 in the conference in scoring at 14.5 ppg. Blair was also one of two Spartans to start all 32 games. Off the court, Blair earned CSC Academic All-District and Academic All-Big Ten accolades.
Blair was one of two Spartans representing Michigan State at the 2026-27 Big Ten Conference Basketball Media Days in Rosemont, Illinois, in early October, joined by teammate, senior guard Theryn Hallock.
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame also announced the 2027 Bob Cousy Award for the men's basketball top point guard, and MSU men's basketball redshirt junior guard Jeremy Fears Jr. was one of 20 players selected to the watch list.
Michigan State is one of seven teams in the country with a men and women's player on each list, and only one of two Big Ten teams, joined by Michigan, while UConn, Louisville, LSU, Miami and Virginia also had one player on both lists.
Blair and the Spartans will open action with an exhibition against Northern Michigan on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the Breslin Center. Michigan State officially tips off the regular season against Valparaiso on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 6:30 p.m.
Michigan State women's basketball single game and season tickets are available online at msuspartans.evenue.net, by contacting the Spartan Ticket Office at 517-355-1610 or by email at tickets@msu.edu for questions or more information, or fans can visit the MSU Ticket Office in person, located in 1855 Place.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballTuesday, September 22
Sunday, March 15
Sunday, March 01
Wednesday, February 18