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2023-24 Men's Basketball Preseason National Honors
With the 2023-24 men's basketball season around the corner, numerous outlets have begun publishing their preseason national honors lists. Big Ten Conference men's basketball standouts are featured prominently on several of these lists, with more to come leading up to the start of the season on Nov. 6.
Naismith Trophy Watch List
On Nov. 6, the Atlanta Tipoff Club opened the college basketball season by releasing the 50 players on the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Men’s Watch List, identifying the top candidates for its National Player of the Year award. The midseason top 30 team will be announced in early January, and then the competition will be narrowed down to 10 national semifinalists in early March. Following those results, four finalists will be named in mid-March, with the announcement of the 2024 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy for Men’s Player of the Year scheduled for Final Four weekend.
Boo Buie, Northwestern
Zach Edey, Purdue
A.J. Hoggard, Michigan State
Clifford Omoruyi, Rutgers
Terrence Shannon Jr., Illinois
Tyson Walker, Michigan State
Jahmir Young, Maryland
Associated Press All-America Team
Since 1985-86, the Associated Press has selected a five-player preseason All-America men's basketball team, compiling votes from a -member national media panel. Reigning AP Player of the Year Zach Edey was the team’s lone unanimous selection.
Zach Edey (unanimous)
Bob Cousy Award
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced the 20 watch-list candidates for the 2024 Bob Cousy Award. Now in its 21st year, the Bob Cousy Award presented by The College of the Holy Cross (or Bob Cousy Collegiate Point Guard of the Year Award) is given to the top men's collegiate point guard. It is named after six-time National Basketball Association (NBA) champion Bob Cousy, who played point guard for the Boston Celtics from 1950 to 1963. Three Big Ten student-athletes made this year's watch list, looking to become the fifth Big Ten player to earn the honor.
Jahmir Young, Maryland
Boo Buie, Northwestern
Ace Baldwin Jr., Penn State
Jerry West Award
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced the 20 watch-list candidates for the 2024 Jerry West Award. Named after NBA Finals Champion and Most Valuable Player, the annual award in its 10th year recognizes the top shooting guard in men’s NCAA Division I college basketball. A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates, which includes three from the Big Ten.
Terrence Shannon Jr., Illinois
Tyson Walker, Michigan State
Fletcher Loyer, Purdue
Julius Erving Award
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced the 20 watch-list candidates for the 2024 Julius Erving Award. Named after the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team player, the annual award in its 10th year recognizes the top small forwards in men’s NCAA Division I college basketball. A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates, which includes four Big Ten student-athletes.
Payton Sandfort, Iowa
Coen Carr, Michigan State
Jamison Battle, Ohio State
Tyler Wahl, Wisconsin
Karl Malone Award
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced the 20 watch-list candidates for the 2024 Karl Malone Award. Named after 14-time NBA All-Star, 11-time All-NBA First Team player, the annual award in its 10th year recognizes the top power forwards in men’s NCAA Division I college basketball. A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates, which includes a pair of Big Ten student-athletes.
Coleman Hawkins, Illinois
Julian Reese, Maryland
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced the 20 watch-list candidates for the 2024 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award. Named after the three-time NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Champion, three-time NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player, and three-time National Player of the Year, the annual award in its 10th year recognizes the top centers in men’s NCAA Division I college basketball. A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates, a group that features four Big Ten standouts.
Kel'el Ware, Indiana
Dawson Garcia, Minnesota
Zach Edey, Purdue
Clifford Omoruyi, Rutgers