Collin Gillespie, Justin Moore, Jermaine Samuels on National Award Watch Lists

The Naismith Hall of Fame has released the Watch Lists for three Preseason National Awards and a trio of Villanovans has been honored.

On Monday, senior point guard Collin Gillespie was named to the Bob Cousy Award Watch List for the country’s best point guard.

Gillespie, the BIG EAST preseason Player of the Year, averaged 14 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.3 rebounds last season for the Wildcats.

Villanovan, Jalen Brunson won the Cousy Award in 2018.

The Hall later announced the Watch List for the 2022 Jerry West Award- given to the country’s best collegiate Shooting Guard- where junior Justin Moore was acknowledged.

The 6’4” Fort Washington, MD native who was named to BIG EAST Preseason Second Team, averaged 12.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3 assists per game last season. He shot 44.1% from the floor during the 2021 campaign, including 31% from 3-Point range.

Finally, on Wednesday, senior Jermaine Samuels was named to the Julius Erving Award Watchlist.

Samuels, a 6’7” Massachusetts native, was also named to the Preseason BIG EAST Second Team earlier this week. In 2021 he averaged 12 points, 6 boards, and 2 and a half assists while shooting 48.1% from the floor.

Previous winners of the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award include three Villanovans; Saddiq Beyc(2020), Mikal Bridges(2018), and Josh Hart (2017).