Yvonne Lee, a redshirt junior guard on the Catawba College basketball team, has been named the recipient of the Class of 2026 Honda Inspiration Award, as announced by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of The Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA), presented by Honda.

The Honda Inspiration Award recognizes a collegiate female student-athlete who has overcome significant physical or emotional adversity to return to athletic success. One of the most compelling honors in collegiate athletics, it has been awarded annually for the past 38 years across NCAA Divisions I, II, and III.

The announcement comes during a landmark year for the Collegiate Women Sports Awards, as the organization celebrates its 50th anniversary throughout the 2025–26 collegiate athletics season. Lee's inspiring story will be recognized alongside the Class of 2026 Honda Sport Award winners, the Honda Division II and III Athletes of the Year, and 20 legendary past Cup winners and CWSA honorees during the live telecast of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards presented by Honda on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network from New York City.

Lee was selected by the CWSA Board of Directors from among three national finalists, as chosen by the CWSA Inspiration Award Committee. The other finalists included Alyssa Schiller (San Diego State, Swimming & Diving) and Katie Senn (San Diego State, Soccer).

“I want to thank God, who has undeniably blessed me beyond imagination, my family, boyfriend, friends, coaches, teammates and community who have all walked by my side throughout this journey,” said Lee. “I am truly grateful for this honor and hope that this award serves as a reminder to others that with belief, faith and perseverance, anything is possible. Everyone goes through struggles, big and small, and I want you to know that you've got this — God's got you. And to those going through cancer, I see you. I know it's hard, but never give up. Better days are ahead. Proverbs 3:5-6"

Each of the 2026 finalists’ inspiring journeys was featured in the CBS Sports Network special Defying the Odds: The 2026 Honda Inspiration Award, which will re-air 10 times throughout July. The final airing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET, leading up to the live broadcast of the 2026 Collegiate Women Sports Awards presented by Honda at 7:00 p.m. ET. (Re-airs, all times Eastern, July 21- 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM; July 25- 6:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 4:30 PM; July 26- 6:00 AM; July 27- 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM)

“We congratulate Yvonne for pursuing her athletic dreams with extraordinary courage and determination in the face of adversity,” said Voelz. “She overcame incredible challenges, including cancer, chemotherapy, and a knee replacement, to return to the basketball court. Rather than allowing those obstacles to define her, she chose perseverance and hope. Her journey is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit, and we know her story will inspire others.”

A native of Ashburn, Va., Lee faced extraordinary adversity before her collegiate career even began. On her way to campus for move-in day in the fall of 2023, she was involved in a serious car accident. Just months later, persistent knee pain and severe swelling led to a series of medical evaluations before she was diagnosed with tibial osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, in November 2023. Over the next year, Lee underwent nine months of chemotherapy, a total knee replacement, and an additional four months of immunotherapy.

Lee celebrated being cancer-free in August 2024, but her journey was far from over. Despite being told she would never play college basketball again, she committed herself to an extensive rehabilitation process with the goal of returning to the court. After more than 1,000 days away from competitive basketball, Lee was medically cleared to return in January 2026. She rejoined her teammates later that season, culminating in the unforgettable opportunity to take the court on Senior Day, a remarkable testament to her resilience, determination, and unwavering spirit.

“Yvonne's journey isn't defined by the adversity she has faced but by the faith, courage, and grace with which she overcame it," said Catawba head coach Terrence McCutcheon. “Her journey reminds us that true inspiration is found not only in victory, but in the strength to keep moving forward with hope.”

“Each year, the Honda Inspiration Award honors a student-athlete who has overcome extraordinary challenges to return to competition,” said Chair of the CWSA Board of Directors Patty Viverito. “The CWSA Committee carefully considered an exceptional group of finalists, making this year's selection especially difficult. We are grateful that CBS Sports shares these inspiring stories through Defying the Odds, and we are proud to recognize Yvonne, who has inspired us all."

Celebrating its 50th year, the CWSA continues to honor the nation’s top female collegiate athletes for excellence in athletics, leadership, academics, and community service. Since partnering with Honda in 1986, the program has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants, strengthening and advancing women’s athletics programs nationwide.

About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility and the Honda USA Foundation 

For more than 65 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its associates live and work. The company’s mission is to create products and services that help people fulfill their life’s potential, while conducting business in a sustainable manner and fostering an inclusive workplace. Advancing its corporate social responsibility, Honda and the Honda USA Foundation support this direction through giving focused on education, the environment, mobility, traffic safety, and community.  

 Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/.