Gafford on Lute Olson ‘Player of Year’ watch list

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas sophomore Daniel Gafford is one of 40 candidates named to the Lute Olson National Player of the Year Watch List.

The Lute Olson Award is presented annually to the nation’s top Division I player in college basketball. Incoming freshman and transfers are not eligible for the preseason watch list.

The Lute Olson Award is determined by a 30-member committee, consisting of five current Division I head coaches, five retired head coaches, 10 current athletic directors and/or conference administrators, five members of the national media and five collegeinsider.com staff members.

An updated watch list will be announced in January and the finalists will be announced in March. The Lute Olson National Player of the Year will be announced April 2 in San Antonio, site of the Men’s NCAA Basketball Championship.

Preseason honors/watch lists for Gafford include:

• Wooden Award Watch List • One of 50 candidates
• Citizen Naismith Trophy Watch List • One of 50 candidates
• Lute Olson Award Watch List • One of 40 candidates
• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Watch List • One of 21 candidates
• Preseason First Team All-SEC • Media and Coaches

Gafford and the Razorbacks — winners of four straight and receiving votes in the national polls — will conclude its five-game homestand this Saturday (Dec. 1) when Florida International comes to Bud Walton Arena.

Tip-off is set for 7 pm.