University of North Carolina Athletics
Davis Named To Preseason Naismith Watch List
October 29, 2009 | Men's Basketball
Oct. 29, 2009
CHAPEL HILL - University of North Carolina sophomore forward Ed Davis, who helped guide the Tar Heels to the 2009 NCAA championship and was one of the top sixth men in the nation last season, has earned one of 50 spots on the 2009-10 Naismith preseason watch list, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced today. Seniors (19) and juniors (14) lead the way followed by 12 sophomores and five freshmen.
Two conferences - the Big East and Atlantic Coast - placed nine representatives apiece while the Big XII and SEC each had eight. Big XII member Kansas was represented by three players while six other schools featured two candidates.
Aside from Davis, other ACC players on the Naismith Watch List include Solomon Alabi (Florida State), Al-Farouq Aminu (Wake Forest), Trevor Booker (Clemson), Derrick Favors (Georgia Tech), Sylven Landesberg (Virginia), Gani Lawal (Georgia Tech), Kyle Singler (Duke) and Greivis Vasquez (Maryland).
To see the complete watch list, please click here.
The watch list was compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors, which based its criteria on player performances from the previous year and expectations for the 2009-10 college basketball season. The Naismith Trophy presented by AT&T will be awarded at the 2010 NCAA Men's Final Four in Indianapolis, Ind.
"The level of talent is exceptional across all teams, conferences and classes, which further underscores just how many candidates have a legitimate chance to win this award," said Gary Stokan, Atlanta Tipoff Club president. "We are looking forward to the start of the season and to see who will end the year as the winner of the Naismith Trophy, the most prestigious award in college basketball."
