Top 5 Early-Season Wooden Award Candidates

The Wooden Award will be handed out to college basketball’s best player. These are the top five frontrunners for the award.

At the end of every season, the John Wooden Player of the Year award will be handed out to the best college basketball player of the season. With almost two months under our belt in the season, let’s take an early look at who could be considered the best player in the country. Various factors lead to this decision from personal stats to the state they have their team in. These guys are leaders on and off the court and have shown that on their teams. Here are the top five candidates for the award early in the season.

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Zach Edey, C, Purdue Boilermakers

Zach Edey is almost averaging the most points per game in all of college basketball. He is just 0.3 points behind Southern Illinois’ Xavier Johnson. Edey is averaging 24.5 points per game with 10.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists. He is No. 2 in points, No. 8 in rebounds per game and No. 28 shooting 62% from the field. He is also averaging 2.5 blocks per game which goes to show just how dominant he is not just on the offensive side of the ball but the defense side as well. Not only is Edey dominating, but he has led his team back to the No. 1 spot in the rankings for the second time this season.

Hunter Dickinson, C, Kansas Jayhawks

Hunter Dickinson is not far behind Edey in terms of dominant big men in the NCAA. After transferring from Michigan to Kansas last offseason, he sparked some controversy. He is averaging 19.2 points with 12.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. He is shooting 61.7% from the field while also averaging 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. He is No. 38 in points scored and the leading rebounder per game in the NCAA. He is also No. 30 in shooting percentage. Like Edey, Dickinson has also put his team in the No. 1 position for most of the season while always staying in the top five.

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Tristen Newton, G, UConn Huskies

In just his second year at UConn after transfer from Eastern Carolina, Tristen Newton is the first guard on this list and has been one of the staple, consistent forces for the now, top-three ranked UConn Huskies. Newton is averaging 16.3 points, 6.8. rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. He is shooting 47.0% from the field and is also averaging 1.5 steals per game. This is the first look at a player on this list who doesn’t dominate a specific stat, but he does everything well. One of the most well-rounded players in the entire country.

RJ Davis, G, North Carolina Tar Heels

RJ Davis is the first outlier on this list. He would have to do a lot to make the tier break not before his name. Davis has been creating opportunities for himself, but also for this team on the way to taking the Tar Heels to a top 10 rank. Davis is averaging 21.6 points per game with 3.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. Davis, as opposed to Newton, is one of the best shot creators in the country. He has ice in his blood and could be considered the most clutch player in the country.

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Dalton Knecht, F, Tennessee Volunteers

Dalton Knecht was a no-name transfer who came from Northern Colorado and stepped into this Tennessee team and immediately became the most impactful player as a senior guard from Thornton, Colorado. Knecht is averaging 16.5 points per game with 4.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. For this being his first year on a team, with a new coach, under a new scheme, Knecht has made it look easy. He had a 37-point performance against one of the hardest teams they have played this year as well.

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