Tag: Naismith Trophy

MSU Basketball Small Forward Aaron Henry named to Naismith Trophy Watchlist

Michigan State Basketball Small Forward Aaron Henry has been named to the preseason Naismith Trophy Watchlist.

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With the two best players of last season getting drafted last night, it means someone is going to have to step up for the Spartans and fill in the void they left. Enter Aaron Henry, who has already been named one of the captains for his junior year. It also hasn’t gone unnoticed that he might be in for a breakout year as he has been named to the Naismith Trophy Watchlist.

The Naismith Trophy is awarded to the top college basketball player of the season. Obi Toppin is the most recent recipient and it culminated in a top 10 draft pick last night.

Henry last season averaged 10 PPG, 4.6 RPG and 2.9 APG in 29 MPG. Henry did declare for the draft this year but ultimately decided to return for his junior year. Will this decision pay big dividends? Will it improve his draft stock?

Henry and the Spartans begin the season next week against Eastern Michigan on Nov. 25th.

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Texas Longhorns Basketball: Greg Brown III named to Naismith Trophy watchlist

The Naismith Trophy announced their preseason watchlist, with Greg Brown making the cut. In total, 50 players appeared on the list.

When Greg Brown III signed his letter of intent with the Longhorns, he ranked as the sixth highest-rated recruit to ever attend Texas according to the 247Sports composite. Not only does he have the chance to shine as one of the top players in the Big 12 but as one of the best in the country.

The Naismith Trophy announced their preseason watchlist on Thursday, with Brown making the cut. In total, 50 players appeared on the list. Five other Big 12 players also made the list, including star freshman point guard Cade Cunningham from Oklahoma State.

Here is the rest of the conference players on the watchlist:

  • Jared Butler, Baylor
  • Marcus Garrett, Kansas
  • MaCio Teague, Baylor
  • Oscar Tshiebwe, West Virginia

In the press release, the Naismith Trophy explains how the selection process for the award will work throughout the season.

A list of the midseason 30 team will be released in early February, followed by the 10 national semifinalists and four finalists on March 4, 2021, and March 16, 2021, respectively. Players who do not make the watch list are still eligible to be selected for the midseason 30 team. The 2021 Jersey Mikeā€™s Naismith Trophy will be awarded during the Final Four at the Naismith Awards Brunch on April 4, 2021.

For Brown, he is expected to be a star right away for head coach Shaka Smart. When he takes the court, Brown is expected to instantly be the most athletic player out there. Size, speed, and strength will fit in perfectly with Smart’s system.

Anything less than an NCAA Tournament appearance and a first-round win will be considered a disappointment for the Longhorns. After being so close to making the tournament last season, Brown will elevate Texas to those new goals.

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Sam Brunelle Named to 2021 Naismith Trophy Watch List

Sam Brunelle has had quite the 2020-21 season, and Notre Dame doesn’t even tip off until Dec. 13 against Georgia Tech.

Sam Brunelle has had quite the 2020-21 season, and Notre Dame doesn’t even tip off until Dec. 13 against Georgia Tech. Already, the sophomore is a Preseason All-ACC member and a member of the Katrina McClain Award Watch List for the best power forward in women’s basketball. Now, she’s one of 50 players to be named to the 2021 Women’s Naismith Trophy Watch List. Ruth Riley became the first and only Irish player to win the award in 2001.

In early February, the list will be cut down to 30 as part of a midseason list. However, that may include players not on the preseason list. Ten semifinalists will be named in early March. Eventually, there will be four finalists with the winner being named during the Final Four.

Brunelle, one of nine sophomores to be named to the list, is joining four other ACC players who will be competing for women’s basketball’s top individual honor. They are Kiara Lewis and Tiana Mangakahia of Syracuse, Elissa Cunane of NC State and Dana Evans of Louisville.

Kaleb Wesson makes Citizens Naismith Midseason Team

Ohio State big-man Kaleb Wesson is one of thirty players still alive for the Citizens Naismith Award.

Ohio State big man Kaleb Wesson is still in the running for another national basketball award. The 6-9 power forward is one of thirty men still alive for the Citizen Naismith Trophy that goes to the Men’s Player of the Year. It is widely considered the most prestigious national honor for men’s basketball, and has been handed out annually since 1969 by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.

The list announced Thursday consists of thirty players that are part of the Naismith Midseason Team. Just last week, it was announced that Wesson was a finalist for theĀ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award as well.

Wesson has shown growth in his game this year. Not only does he lead the Buckeyes in scoring (14.1) and rebounding (9.4) per game, but he’s shown better conditioning, and has expanded his game to include a much more dangerous outside game — shooting over 40% from beyond the arc. Maybe most importantly, he has been much more disciplined with foul-trouble.

The trophy itself will not be handed out until the Final Four in April. But until then, congrats to Wesson for a pretty big honor.

 

2020 Naismith Trophy Girls High School Player of the Year Preseason Watch List

The Atlanta Tipoff Club has released the top 50 players to watch for the 2020 Naismith High School Trophy for Girls Player of the Year

The Naismith Trophy has announced the 50 players on the watch list for the Girls High School Player of the Year award. The Player of the Year and All-America teams will be announced in March by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.

Name School City, State Pos. Class College
Sarah Andrews MacArthur Irving, TX G Sr. Baylor
Anaya Boyd Lovejoy Hampton, GA G Sr. Undecided
Jacorriah Bracey Ruleville Central Ruleville, MS G Sr. Ole Miss
Cameron Brink Southridge Beaverton, OR F Sr. Stanford
Paige Bueckers Hopkins Minnetonka, MN G Sr. UConn
Allison Campbell Bellwood-Antis Bellwood, PA G Sr. Notre Dame
Kamilla Cardoso Hamilton Heights Christian Academy Chattanooga, TN C Sr. Syracuse
Caitlin Clark Dowling Catholic West Des Moines, IA G Sr. Undecided
Olivia Cochran Carver Atlanta, GA F Sr. Louisville
Dalayah Daniels Garfield Seattle, WA F Sr. California
Amari DeBerry Williamsville South Williamsville, NY F Jr. UConn
Brooke Demetre Mater Dei Santa Ana, CA W Jr. Stanford
Lexi Donarski Aquinas LaCrosse, WI G Sr. Iowa State
Angela Dugalic Maine West Des Plaines, IL F Sr. Oregon
Elauna Eaton Nettleton Jonesboro, AR G Sr. Arkansas
Aaliyah Edwards Crestwood Secondary School Kingston, Canada W Sr. UConn
Gabrielle Elliott Detroit Edison Public School Academy Detroit, MI W Sr. Undecided
Azzi Fudd St. John’s College Washington, D.C. G Jr. Undecided
Sasha Goforth Fayetteville Fayetteville, AR G Sr. Oregon State
Hannah Gusters MacArthur Irving, TX P Sr. Baylor
Madison Hayes East Hamilton Ooltewah, TN G Sr. Mississippi State
Treasure Hunt Hamilton Heights Christian Academy Chattanooga, TN G Sr. Kentucky
Jordyn Jenkins Kentridge Kent, WA F Sr. USC
Diamond Johnson Neumann-Goretti Phildelphia, PA G Sr. Undecided
Jerkaila Jordan John Curtis Christian River Ridge, LA G Sr. Tulane
Leilani Kapinus James Madison Memorial Madison, WI G Sr. Undecided
Deja Kelly Duncanville Duncanville, TX G Sr. Undecided
Ra’Shaya Kyle Marion Marion, IN P Sr. Purdue
Natalija Marshall Christ the King Middle Village, NY F Sr. Notre Dame
Mir McLean Roland Park Country School Baltimore, MD W Sr. UConn
Jordyn Merritt Plano Senior Plano, TX F Sr. Florida
Olivia Miles Blair Academy Blairstown Township, NJ G Jr. Undecided
Anna Morris Immaculate Heart Academy Washington Township, NJ F Sr. Northwestern
Te-Hina Paopao LaJolla Country Day School LaJolla, CA G Sr. Oregon
Sydney Parrish Hamilton Southeastern Fishers, IN G Sr. Oregon
Kateri Poole South Shore Brooklyn, NY G Sr. Ohio State
Angel Reese St. Frances Academy Baltimore, MD W Sr. Maryland
Darrione Rogers Lake Park West Roselle, IL G Sr. DePaul
Eniya Russell St. Vincent Pallotti Laurel, MD G Sr. Undecided
Maddie Scherr Larry A. Ryle Union, KY G Sr. Oregon
Madison Scott Bishop McNamara Forestville, MD W Sr. Ole Miss
Harmoni Turner Legacy Mansfield, TX G Sr. Harvard
Jana Van Gytenbeek Cherry Creek Greenwood Village, CO G Sr. Stanford
Hailey Van Lith Cashmere Cashmere, WA G Sr. Undecided
Dontavia Waggoner Ensworth School Nashville, TN G Sr. NC State
Sakima Walker Columbus Africentric Early College Columbus, OH P Sr. Undecided
Lauren Ware Century Bismarck, ND P Sr. Arizona
Kylee Watson Mainland Regional Linwood, NJ F Sr. Oregon
Madeline Westbeld Fairmont Kettering, OH F Sr. Notre Dame
Priscilla Williams Branson Branson, MO G Sr. Syracuse