Andy Katz of ESPN.com, announced his preliminary picks for the 2009 season’s Wooden Awards, honoring the nation’s best player. "Each summer, the Wooden Award Committee asks members of the media to contribute a list of 50 potential contenders to get the selecton process started. Katz says the "race for the national player of the year honor is as wide open as it has been this decade."
Making Villanovans proud, ESPN’s list of 50 players worthy of consideration for the award includes Nova’s two point guards — Scotty Reynolds and Corey Fisher.
Other notables from the Big East include Da’Sean Butler (West Virginia), Jerome Dyson (Connecticut), Luke Harangody (Notre Dame), and Greg Monroe (Georgetown).
Katz top pick is Cole Aldridge from Kansas, calling him “a dominant big man on the top team.” Scotty Reynolds is #9 on the list. ESPN is holding a reader poll on the Wooden Award candidates. You can vote here.
Scotty Reynolds was two slots higher than Mr. Katz predication, in 7th place in voting as of August 15.