University of Tennessee Athletics
Smith Named to Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List
October 30, 2009 | Men's Basketball
Oct. 30, 2009
The Atlanta Tipoff Club recently released the 2009-10 Naismith Trophy preseason watch list, and Tennessee senior Tyler Smith is among 33 upperclassmen on the elite 50-player list. Smith, a two-time first-team All-SEC performer is one of eight SEC players currently under consideration for the trophy, which is presented to the national college player of the year.
This is the latest in a long list of preseason honors for Smith, who also was named to the preseason watch list for the John R. Wooden Award and has landed on numerous publications' preseason All-SEC squads. The Pulaski, Tenn., native is Tennessee's top returning scorer and also has led the Volunteers in assists each of the past two seasons.
The Naismith 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," Atlanta Tipoff Club President Gary Stokan said. "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."
Since 2005, presenting sponsor AT&T has set the standard in allowing fans to participate in determining the trophy winner. Through the power and ease of text messaging, fan voting will account for an unprecedented 25 percent of the final results - more than any other national college basketball award. In February, during CBS' coverage of college basketball, the "AT&T at the Half" segment will feature a Naismith Trophy update highlighting the players in contention for the award.
In late February, the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors will compile a mid-season team of the Top 30 players in the nation. Then in March, the Naismith Trophy voting academy will vote to narrow the list to the four finalists.
Notable Naismith Men's College Player of the Year winners include Bill Walton, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson and last year's winner, Blake Griffin.
Vols head coach Bruce Pearl was a finalist for the 2008 Naismith National Coach of the Year Award.
For more information about the Naismith Trophy or to view the complete watch list, visit www.naismithawards.com.
