The duo is poised to lead ‘Nova to post-season success in 2017.
Villanova seniors Josh Hart and Kris Jenkins have been named by the Atlanta Tipoff Club to the watch list of 50 players in consideration for the 2017 Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year.
As a junior, Hart averaged 15.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game for the National Champion Villanova Wildcats. He was named the BIG EAST Conference preseason Player of the Year last week.
Jenkins averaged 13.6 points and 3.9 boards per game as a junior. His three-pointer as time expired gave Villanova their second National Championship in the program’s history.
Subsequent cuts will trim the field to 30 players on Feb. 9th, 10 semifinalists on March 1st and four finalists will be announced on March 19th. The award will be presented at the Naismith Awards banquet during the Final Four.
The players hope to join past winners such as Lew Alcindor (1969), Pete Maravich (1970), Bill Walton (1972-74), Larry Bird (1979), Ralph Sampson (1981-83), Michael Jordan (1984) and Danny Manning (1988).
Naismith Men's College Player of the Year Preseason Watch List
Last Name
First Name
Year
Position
School
Conference
Adebayo
Edrice (Bam)
Freshman
F
Kentucky
SEC
Allen
Grayson
Junior
G
Duke
ACC
Allen
Jarrett
Freshman
F
Texas
Big 12
Bacon
Dwayne
Sophomore
G
Florida State
ACC
Ball
Lonzo
Freshman
G
UCLA
Pac 12
Beachem
V.J.
Senior
F
Notre Dame
ACC
Berry II
Joel
Junior
G
North Carolina
ACC
Blackmon Jr.
James
Junior
G
Indiana
Big Ten
Blossomgame
Jaron
Senior
F
Clemson
ACC
Bluiett
Trevon
Junior
G
Xavier
Big East
Boucher
Chris
Senior
F
Oregon
Pac 12
Bridges
Miles
Freshman
G/F
Michigan State
Big Ten
Brooks
Dillon
Junior
F
Oregon
Pac 12
Bryant
Thomas
Sophomore
C
Indiana
Big Ten
Caupain
Troy
Senior
G
Cincinnati
American Athletic
Davis
Tyler
Sophomore
C
Texas A&M
SEC
Evans
Jawun
Sophomore
G
Oklahoma State
Big 12
Fox
De'Aaron
Freshman
G
Kentucky
SEC
Fultz
Markelle
Freshman
G
Washington
Pac 12
Gibbs
Jack
Senior
G
Davidson
Atlantic 10
Giles
Harry
Freshman
F
Duke
ACC
Graham
Devonte'
Junior
G
Kansas
Big 12
Happ
Ethan
R-Sophomore
F
Wisconsin
Big Ten
Hart
Josh
Senior
G
Villanova
Big East
Hayes
Nigel
Senior
F
Wisconsin
Big Ten
Hill
Malcom
Senior
G
Illinois
Big Ten
Jackson
Josh
Freshman
G
Kansas
Big 12
Jackson
Justin
Junior
F/G
North Carolina
ACC
Jenkins
Kris
Senior
F
Villanova
Big East
Jok
Peter
Senior
G
Iowa
Big Ten
Kingsley
Moses
Senior
F
Arkansas
SEC
Koenig
Bronson
Senior
G
Wisconsin
Big Ten
Lawson
Dedric
Sophomore
G/F
Memphis
American Athletic
Lydon
Tyler
Sophomore
F
Syracuse
ACC
Markkanen
Lauri
Freshman
F
Arizona
Pac 12
Mason III
Frank
Senior
G
Kansas
Big 12
Matthews
E.C.
Junior
G
Rhode Island
Atlantic 10
Monk
Malik
Freshman
G
Kentucky
SEC
Morris
Monte
Senior
G
Iowa State
Big 12
Motley
Jonathan
Junior
F
Baylor
Big 12
Nichols
Austin
Junior
F
Virginia
ACC
Perrantes
London
Senior
G
Virginia
ACC
Peters
Alec
Senior
F
Valparaiso
Horizon League
Rabb
Ivan
Sophomore
F
California
Pac 12
Smith Jr.
Dennis
Freshman
G
NC State
ACC
Sumner
Edmond
Sophomore
G
Xavier
Big East
Swanigan
Caleb
Sophomore
F
Purdue
Big Ten
Tatum
Jayson
Freshman
F
Duke
ACC
Trimble
Melo
Junior
G
Maryland
Big Ten
Williams-Goss
Nigel
Junior
G
Gonzaga
West Coast