FAYETTEVILLE – Razorback freshman Nick Smith Jr., was named to the John R. Wooden Award, presented by Wendy’s, preseason Top 50 Watch List for the men’s basketball Player of the Year. The candidates were announced on ESPN’s SportsCenter and on ESPN.com.
The players were chosen by a preseason poll of national college basketball experts. The list is comprised of 50 student-athletes who are the early front-runners for the most prestigious honors in college basketball, the Wooden Award All American Team and Most Outstanding Player Award.
Smith is one of seven freshmen on the list and one of seven players from the SEC, including 2022 Wooden Award winner Oscar Tshiebwe (Kentucky).
The players on the list are considered strong candidates for the 2023 John R. Wooden Award Men’s Player of the Year presented by Wendy’s. Players not chosen to the preseason list are still eligible for the Wooden Award midseason list, late season list and the final National Ballot. The National Ballot consists of 15 top players who have proven to their universities that they meet or exceed the qualifications of the Wooden Award. Nearly 1,000 voters will rank in order 10 of those 15 players when voting opens prior to the NCAA Tournament and will allow voters to take into consideration performance during early round games. The Wooden Award All American Team will be announced the week of the “Elite Eight” round of the NCAA Tournament. The winner of the 2023 John R. Wooden Award will be presented in Los Angeles in April.
SMITH’S PRESEASON HONORS
John R. Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 Watch List
NABC Division I Player of the Year Watch List
Jerry West Award Watch List
All-American second team (CBSsports.com)
All-American third team (The Sporting News)
All-America fourth team (Blue Ribbon Magazine)
National Newcomer of the Year (Blue Ribbon Magazine)
National Freshman of the Year (CBSSports.com)
#1 on ESPN.com national Impact Newcomer list
#2 on Andy Katz/NCAA.com national Impact Freshmen list
#2 on CBSsports.com national Impact Freshmen list
SEC Freshman of the Year (CBSsports.com)
SEC Freshman of the Year (Blue Ribbon Magazine)
First Team All-SEC (media)
First Team All-SEC (coaches)
First Team All-SEC (Blue Ribbon Magazine)
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