Colorado University Athletics
Photo by: Tim Benko, Benko Photographics
Wright Named To Naismith And Wooden Watch Lists
November 05, 2019 | Men's Basketball
BOULDER β University of Colorado junior guard McKinley Wright IV has been named to the Naismith Award and Wooden Award watch lists, as announced this week.
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Earlier this fall, Wright was also selected to the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award Watch List.
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As a sophomore in 2018-19, Wright was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection after leading the Buffs to a 23-13 record and the third round of the NIT. The team finished the year strong with 10 wins in 12 games before a Pac-12 Tournament semifinals loss to Washington, and then advanced past Dayton and Norfolk State in the NIT, before a road loss at Texas ended the season.
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Individually, he averaged 13.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists, while adding 39 steals. His assists and steals averages and totals were both team-bests, and he also shot 49.4 percent from the floor, second-best on the team. In the Pac-12, he was third in assists, eighth in free throw percentage, 10th in assist/turnover ratio (1.5), 12th in field goal percentage, and 17th in scoring. His field goal percentage was second-best among guards.
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The Citizen Naismith Trophy Men's Player of the Year is given annually to the best player in college basketball and will be awarded on April 5, 2020, at the Atlanta Tipoff Club during the men's Final Four at the Naismith Awards Brunch. Wright is among 50 players named to the watch list. Last season's winner was Duke's Zion Williamson.
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Wright is just the fourth Buff to be named to a Naismith Award watch list. He joins David Harrison (2003-04 Candidate), Alec Burks (Preseason Top 50 and Top 30 Watch List), and Andre Roberson (2012-13 Preseason Top 50 Watch List).
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The John R. Wooden Award presented by Wendy's includes the most prestigious honors in college basketball, the Wooden Award All-American Team and the Most Outstanding Player Award. The 2020 John R. Wooden Award will be presented by Wendy's during the ESPN College
Basketball Awards on April 10. Last season's winner was Williamson.
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Wright is the ninth CU player to ever be on a watch list for the Wooden Award. Other past Buffs to be on Wooden watch lists include Donnie Boyce (1994-95 Big Eight Candidate); Chauncey Billups (1995-96 Big Eight Candidate); David Harrison (2003-04 (Big 12 Candidate); Cory Higgins (2010-11 Preseason Top 50 Watch List); Alec Burks (2020-11 Top 20 Finalist); Andre Roberson (2012-13 Preseason Top 50 Watch List); Spencer Dinwiddie (2013-14 Preseason Top 50 Watch List); and Josh Scott (2014-15 Preseason Top 50 Watch List).
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More Preseason Rankings
In addition to the watch lists announcements, ESPN college basketball expert Jay Bilas announced his preseason rankings and top-player lists on Tuesday. Junior forward Tyler Bey is listed as the sixth-best wing in the nation, and the Buffs come in at No. 24 in Bilas's team rankings.
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Bey averaged 13.6 points and 9.9 rebounds last season, leading the Buffs in both categories, along with 44 blocked shots and shooting 54.1 percent. He led the Pac-12 in double-doubles (17) and was second in rebounding, ninth in field goal percentage, 10th in blocked shots, and 15th in scoring. Like Wright, he was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection.
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Season Opener
CU opens the season in Shanghai, China, with a non-conference game against Arizona State. The game will tip off at 8:30 p.m. MT on Friday and air on ESPN2 (Saturday, Nov. 9, 11:30 a.m. in Shanghai). The home opener is slated for Saturday, Nov. 16, against San Diego.
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Earlier this fall, Wright was also selected to the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award Watch List.
Β
As a sophomore in 2018-19, Wright was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection after leading the Buffs to a 23-13 record and the third round of the NIT. The team finished the year strong with 10 wins in 12 games before a Pac-12 Tournament semifinals loss to Washington, and then advanced past Dayton and Norfolk State in the NIT, before a road loss at Texas ended the season.
Β
Individually, he averaged 13.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists, while adding 39 steals. His assists and steals averages and totals were both team-bests, and he also shot 49.4 percent from the floor, second-best on the team. In the Pac-12, he was third in assists, eighth in free throw percentage, 10th in assist/turnover ratio (1.5), 12th in field goal percentage, and 17th in scoring. His field goal percentage was second-best among guards.
Β
The Citizen Naismith Trophy Men's Player of the Year is given annually to the best player in college basketball and will be awarded on April 5, 2020, at the Atlanta Tipoff Club during the men's Final Four at the Naismith Awards Brunch. Wright is among 50 players named to the watch list. Last season's winner was Duke's Zion Williamson.
Β
Wright is just the fourth Buff to be named to a Naismith Award watch list. He joins David Harrison (2003-04 Candidate), Alec Burks (Preseason Top 50 and Top 30 Watch List), and Andre Roberson (2012-13 Preseason Top 50 Watch List).
Β
The John R. Wooden Award presented by Wendy's includes the most prestigious honors in college basketball, the Wooden Award All-American Team and the Most Outstanding Player Award. The 2020 John R. Wooden Award will be presented by Wendy's during the ESPN College
Basketball Awards on April 10. Last season's winner was Williamson.
Β
Wright is the ninth CU player to ever be on a watch list for the Wooden Award. Other past Buffs to be on Wooden watch lists include Donnie Boyce (1994-95 Big Eight Candidate); Chauncey Billups (1995-96 Big Eight Candidate); David Harrison (2003-04 (Big 12 Candidate); Cory Higgins (2010-11 Preseason Top 50 Watch List); Alec Burks (2020-11 Top 20 Finalist); Andre Roberson (2012-13 Preseason Top 50 Watch List); Spencer Dinwiddie (2013-14 Preseason Top 50 Watch List); and Josh Scott (2014-15 Preseason Top 50 Watch List).
Β
More Preseason Rankings
In addition to the watch lists announcements, ESPN college basketball expert Jay Bilas announced his preseason rankings and top-player lists on Tuesday. Junior forward Tyler Bey is listed as the sixth-best wing in the nation, and the Buffs come in at No. 24 in Bilas's team rankings.
Β
Bey averaged 13.6 points and 9.9 rebounds last season, leading the Buffs in both categories, along with 44 blocked shots and shooting 54.1 percent. He led the Pac-12 in double-doubles (17) and was second in rebounding, ninth in field goal percentage, 10th in blocked shots, and 15th in scoring. Like Wright, he was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection.
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Season Opener
CU opens the season in Shanghai, China, with a non-conference game against Arizona State. The game will tip off at 8:30 p.m. MT on Friday and air on ESPN2 (Saturday, Nov. 9, 11:30 a.m. in Shanghai). The home opener is slated for Saturday, Nov. 16, against San Diego.
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Players Mentioned
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