Booker Named to Preseason Naismith Trophy Watch List |
CLEMSON, SC – Senior forward Trevor Booker has been named to the preseason candidate list for the Naismith Trophy, presented annually to the nation’s top collegiate basketball player. Booker, a native of Whitmire, SC, was one of 50 players named to the list Thursday. It is the second preseason watch list Booker has been included on, as he was previously announced in August as a candidate for the John R. Wooden Award.
Booker is the leading returning scorer (15.3 ppg) for the 2009-10 Tiger basketball squad. He is coming off a junior season in which he led the ACC in field goal percentage (.571) and rebounds per game (9.7). He also averaged a double-double during the regular season of the ACC. Booker, a second-team all-conference selection last season, was one of nine players from the ACC named to the preseason watch list.
The watch list was compiled the Atlanta Tipoff Club, which based its criteria on player performances from the previous year and expectations for the 2009-10 college basketball season. The Naismith Trophy, presented by AT&T, will be awarded at the 2010 NCAA Men’s Final Four in Indianapolis, IN. Blake Griffin of Oklahoma won the award in 2009.
In late February, the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors will compile a midseason list of 30 players. In March, the Naismith Trophy voting academy will vote to narrow the list to four finalists.
2009-10 Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List:
Last name First Name School Position Class
Alabi Solomon Florida State Center Soph.
Aldrich Cole Kansas Center Junior
Aminu Al-Farouq Wake Forest Forward Soph.
Anderson James Oklahoma State Guard Junior
Babbitt Luke Nevada Forward Soph.
Battle Talor Penn State Guard Junior
Booker Trevor Clemson Forward Senior
Bouldin Matt Gonzaga Guard Senior
Brackins Craig Iowa State Forward Junior
Bradley Avery Texas Guard Freshman
Butler Da'Sean West Virginia Forward Senior
Christopher Patrick California Guard Senior
Collins Sherron Kansas Guard Senior
Davis Ed North Carolina Forward Soph.
Downey Devan South Carolina Guard Senior
Dyson Jerome Connecticut Guard Senior
Ebanks Devin West Virginia Forward Soph.
Favors Derrick Georgia Tech Forward Freshman
Harangody Luke Notre Dame Forward Senior
Harris Manny Michigan Guard Junior
Hayward Gordon Butler Guard/Forward Freshman
Hayward Lazar Marquette Forward Senior
Henry Xavier Kansas Guard Freshman
Hummel Robbie Purdue Forward Junior
James Damion Texas Guard/Forward Senior
Jordan Jerome Tulsa Center Senior
Landesberg Sylven Virginia Guard Soph.
Lawal Gani Georgia Tech Forward Junior
Lucas Kalin Michigan State Guard Junior
Mitchell Tasmin LSU Forward Senior
Monroe Greg Georgetown Center Soph.
Ogilvy A.J. Vanderbilt Center Junior
Patterson Patrick Kentucky Forward Junior
Randle Jerome California Guard Senior
Reynolds Scottie Villanova Guard Senior
Samuels Samardo Louisville Forward Soph.
Sanders Larry VCU Forward Junior
Singler Kyle Duke Forward Junior
Smith Tyler Tennessee Guard/Forward Senior
Thomas Isaiah Washington Guard Soph.
Turner Evan Ohio State Guard/Forward Junior
Ubiles Edwin Siena Guard/Forward Senior
Varnado Jarvis Mississippi St Forward Senior
Vasquez Greivis Maryland Guard Senior
Walker Kemba Connecticut Guard Soph.
Wall John Kentucky Guard Freshman
Warren Willie Oklahoma Guard Soph.
White Terrico Mississippi Guard Soph.
Wise Nic Arizona Guard Senior
Wright Chris Dayton Forward Junior