USBWA Rising Star Award News

Maggie Vanoni of Hearst Connecticut Media Group, who covers UConn women’s basketball and the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun, has been named the winner of the 2025-26 Rising Star Award by the Women’s Board of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.

Kevin Sweeney of Sports Illustrated, who has quickly established himself as a respected voice across platforms in an evolving industry, has been named a winner of the 2026 Rising Star Award by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. Sweeney will be honored on Monday, April 6 during the USBWA Awards Luncheon at Xiber Square in Gainbridge Fieldhouse at 11:30 a.m.

The U.S. Basketball Writers Association is pleased to name the winners of its annual Rising Star and Jim O'Connell awards.