ST. LOUIS – For the second-consecutive season, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association featured Mike Daum among 20 NCAA Division I standouts on the Oscar Robertson Trophy midseason watch list, announced Friday. The award is presented to the national player of the year by its namesake at the NCAA Final Four in San Antonio.
A two-time Summit League Player of the Year, Daum is one of three players nationally averaging more than 20 points and 10 rebounds per game through the season’s first two months. He is pacing the Jackrabbit attack with 24.7 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, shooting 51.3 percent from the field with 29 3-point field goals.
The Kimball, Neb., native has 2,578 career points and 41 career double-doubles and ranks first all-time on both lists at South Dakota State. He has scored 40 or more in two games this season and could become the ninth-ever Division I player to score 3,000 career points by the end of the season.
In March, the USBWA will announce its 2018-19 All-America Team and, at that time, finalists will also be chosen for the player of the year. Once finalists are announced, the entire USBWA membership will vote for the winner of the Oscar Robertson Trophy.
Since the 1958-59 season, the USBWA has named a National Player of the Year. In 1998, the award was named in honor of the University of Cincinnati Hall of Famer and two-time USBWA Player of the Year Oscar Robertson. It is the nation’s oldest player of the year award and the only one named after a former player.
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With more than 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected an All-America team since the 1956-57 season.
For more information on the USBWA and the Oscar Robertson Trophy, contact executive director Joe Mitch at 314-795-6821.
2018-19 OSCAR ROBERTSON TROPHY PRESEASON WATCH LIST
Pos. Player, School Yr. Hometown
G Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Virginia Tech So. Toronto, Ont.
F RJ Barrett, Duke Fr Mississauga, Ont.
C Bol Bol, Oregon Fr. Olathe, Kan.
F Ignas Brazdeikis, Michigan Fr. Oakville, Ont.
G/F Jordan Caroline, Nevada Sr. Champaign, Ill.
F Brandon Clarke, Gonzaga Jr. Phoenix, Ariz.
G Jarrett Culver, Texas Tech So. Lubbock, Texas
F Mike Daum, South Dakota State Sr. Kimball, Neb.
G Carsen Edwards, Purdue Jr. Atascocita, Texas
F Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga Jr. Toyama, Japan
F Ethan Happ, Wisconsin Sr. Milan, Ill.
G Markus Howard, Marquette Jr. Chandler, Ariz.
G De’Andre Hunter, Virginia So. Philadelphia, Pa.
F Dedric Lawson, Kansas Jr. Memphis, Tenn.
F Caleb Martin, Nevada Sr. Mocksville, N.C.
G CJ Massinburg, Buffalo Sr. Dallas, Texas
F Luke Maye, North Carolina Sr. Huntersville, N.C.
G Shamorie Ponds, St. John’s Jr. Brooklyn, N.Y.
F Grant Williams, Tennessee Jr. Charlotte, N.C.
F Zion Williamson, Duke Fr. Spartanburg, S.C.
By conference: ACC 5; Big Ten 3; Big 12 2; Big East 2; Mountain West 2; West Coast 2; Mid-American 1; Pac-12 1; SEC 1; Summit League 1.
By class: Seniors 6; Juniors 7; Sophomores 3; Freshmen 4.
