University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Johnson Selected as Gillom Trophy Finalist
3/31/2026 11:12:00 AM | Women's Basketball
JACKSON, Miss. – Southern Miss graduate student guard Jakayla Johnson (Clinton, Miss.) has been named as one of three finalists for the 2026 C-Spire Gillom Trophy the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame announced Tuesday. The Gillom Trophy, named for Ole Miss great Peggy Gillom-Granderson, honors Mississippi's top women's college basketball student-athlete each season.
Mississippi State's freshman forward Madison Francis of Lancaster, N.Y., and Ole Miss' senior forward Cotie McMahon of Dayton, Ohio, represent the other two finalists for the 2026 trophy.
Johnson is the sixth individual Lady Eagle to earn a combined 10 Gillom Trophy finalist selections. Jamierra Faulkner was named the 2014 Gillom Trophy recipient and is Southern Miss' only Gillom Trophy winner since the award's beginning in 2008.
A native of Clinton, Miss., Johnson is no stranger to statewide honors. Her illustrious high school career at Clinton High School led her to capture all-state honors from the NHSAA, Mississippi Gridiron/Capital Sports and Clarion-Ledger. She then made waves on the national stage at Jones County Junior College, earning WBCA All-American honors as a true freshman after leading the Bobcats to their first-ever No. 1 ranking.
She completed her collegiate career at Southern Miss this season, leading the Lady Eagles with 15.6 points per game, 483 total points, a 39.2 percent three-point mark, 137 made free throws, 166 free throw attempts and 43 steals.
She earned All-Sun Belt Conference Secon Team honors for her efforts on the season, marking the third time in her career to earn the nod. She was also selected as a finalist for the Lilly Women's College All-Star Game in Phoenix, Ariz.
The 2026 Gillom and Howell Trophy winners will be announced at a luncheon held at Golden Moon Casino in Choctaw, Miss., on Wednesday, April 15 at 11:30 a.m. The awards are presented by Pearl River Resort and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI). Selected by a statewide panel of media members, this year's finalists represent the best of college basketball across Mississippi's four-year institutions.
All proceeds from the event benefit the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Howell and Gillom Trophies are a part of the Outstanding Player Awards Series which also recognizes the top college athlete in football with the C Spire Conerly Trophy and the top college baseball player with the Ferriss Trophy presented by MBCI and Pearl River Resort.
Southern Miss' Gillom Trophy Finalists
2007-08 – Pauline Love
2008-09 – Pauline Love
2009-10 – Pauline Love
2012-13 – Jamierra Faulkner
2013-14 – Jamierra Faulkner*
2014-15 – Tamara Jones
2016-17 – Brittanny Dinkins
2022-23 – Domonique Davis
2023-24 – Domonique Davis
2025-26 – Jakayla Johnson
*Gillom Trophy recipient
About The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame
The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame exists to promote, preserve and protect Mississippi's rich sports heritage for this and generations to come. The Museum serves as a destination for sports legends to live forever through interactive displays and exhibits where visitors can play, live and dream. The 501(c)(3) organization recognizes excellence in athletics and contributions to sports. For more information about the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum, visit msfame.com or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mssportshofandmuseum or Twitter at www.twitter.com/mssportshof.
Mississippi State's freshman forward Madison Francis of Lancaster, N.Y., and Ole Miss' senior forward Cotie McMahon of Dayton, Ohio, represent the other two finalists for the 2026 trophy.
Johnson is the sixth individual Lady Eagle to earn a combined 10 Gillom Trophy finalist selections. Jamierra Faulkner was named the 2014 Gillom Trophy recipient and is Southern Miss' only Gillom Trophy winner since the award's beginning in 2008.
A native of Clinton, Miss., Johnson is no stranger to statewide honors. Her illustrious high school career at Clinton High School led her to capture all-state honors from the NHSAA, Mississippi Gridiron/Capital Sports and Clarion-Ledger. She then made waves on the national stage at Jones County Junior College, earning WBCA All-American honors as a true freshman after leading the Bobcats to their first-ever No. 1 ranking.
She completed her collegiate career at Southern Miss this season, leading the Lady Eagles with 15.6 points per game, 483 total points, a 39.2 percent three-point mark, 137 made free throws, 166 free throw attempts and 43 steals.
She earned All-Sun Belt Conference Secon Team honors for her efforts on the season, marking the third time in her career to earn the nod. She was also selected as a finalist for the Lilly Women's College All-Star Game in Phoenix, Ariz.
The 2026 Gillom and Howell Trophy winners will be announced at a luncheon held at Golden Moon Casino in Choctaw, Miss., on Wednesday, April 15 at 11:30 a.m. The awards are presented by Pearl River Resort and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI). Selected by a statewide panel of media members, this year's finalists represent the best of college basketball across Mississippi's four-year institutions.
All proceeds from the event benefit the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Howell and Gillom Trophies are a part of the Outstanding Player Awards Series which also recognizes the top college athlete in football with the C Spire Conerly Trophy and the top college baseball player with the Ferriss Trophy presented by MBCI and Pearl River Resort.
Southern Miss' Gillom Trophy Finalists
2007-08 – Pauline Love
2008-09 – Pauline Love
2009-10 – Pauline Love
2012-13 – Jamierra Faulkner
2013-14 – Jamierra Faulkner*
2014-15 – Tamara Jones
2016-17 – Brittanny Dinkins
2022-23 – Domonique Davis
2023-24 – Domonique Davis
2025-26 – Jakayla Johnson
*Gillom Trophy recipient
About The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame
The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame exists to promote, preserve and protect Mississippi's rich sports heritage for this and generations to come. The Museum serves as a destination for sports legends to live forever through interactive displays and exhibits where visitors can play, live and dream. The 501(c)(3) organization recognizes excellence in athletics and contributions to sports. For more information about the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum, visit msfame.com or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mssportshofandmuseum or Twitter at www.twitter.com/mssportshof.
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