ST. LOUIS (USBWA) The U.S. Basketball Writers Association announced today finalists for the USBWA's Oscar Robertson Trophy as the men's national player of the year and the USBWA's Integris Wayman Tisdale Award for the men's national freshman of the year.
The finalists' lists include 11 players for the men's player of the year and five players for the men's freshman of the year. Three players from the Atlantic Coast Conference headline the Oscar Robertson Trophy list, including Virginia's Malcolm Brogdon, a finalist from a season ago. Iowa State's Georges Niang, one of two Big 12 players tabbed, is also a repeat finalist. Kentucky and Duke have finalists on both lists.
Ben Simmons, LSU's standout freshman, is the only player selected to both lists for men's player of the year and freshman of the year.
Voting for the awards is conducted by members of the USBWA. The USBWA is comprised of over 900 sports journalists covering college basketball for newspapers, magazines and websites.
The USBWA player and freshman of the year awards will be presented on April 11 at the College Basketball Awards gala and dinner at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Also presented at the dinner will be the Henry Iba Coach of the Year Award, and the Wayman Tisdale Humanitarian Award presented by Love's Travel Stops and the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award for the women's national player of the year.
Following is the complete list of finalists:
While these standout players are the leading contenders to be named to the USBWA's All-America Team, all Division I players remain eligible for postseason honors from the USBWA. The association will announce its 2016 All-America Team in mid-March. Ballots for this season's USBWA men's honors were distributed to the entire membership today.
Tickets and sponsorship information for the College Basketball Awards gala are available at collegebasketballawards.com or by contacting Scott Hill (405-749-1515, scott.hill@access-sports.net). The April 11 banquet will also honor former Missouri coach Norm Stewart as the recipient of the Wayman Tisdale Humanitarian Award presented by Love's Travel Stops.
Access Sports, a non-profit Oklahoma City-based organization that supports various charitable causes, serves as the host for the gala. Funds from the dinner are used to support youth basketball programs in Oklahoma that allow disadvantaged youth the opportunity to participate in leagues and training.
Since the 1958-59 season, the USBWA has named a national player of the year. In 1998, the award was named in honor of the University of Cincinnati Hall of Famer and two-time USBWA Player of the Year Oscar Robertson.
The USBWA has chosen a national freshman of the year since the 1988-89 season when LSU's Chris Jackson was the recipient. Notable previous winners of the national freshman of the year award include Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd and Chris Webber.
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected an All-America team since the 1956-57 season. For more information on the USBWA and its award programs, contact executive director Joe Mitch at 314-795-6821.
Related links:
• Oscar Robertson Trophy
• Integris Wayman Tisdale Award