Texas Tech University Athletics
Jackson Named a Preseason Candidate for the Wooden Award
August 10, 2005 | Men's Basketball
Aug. 10, 2005
Lubbock, Texas-Texas Tech guard Jay Jackson has been announced as one of the top 50 players named as preseason candidates for the 2005-2006 Wooden Award Men's All-American Team.
After tallying the ballots of the National Preseason Selection Committee, the John R. Wooden Award has announced the Red Raider junior among the top 50-preseason candidates for the 2005-2006 Wooden Award Men's All-America Team. The top 50-preseason selections were based on last year's individual performance and team records, and these student-athletes are the early frontrunners for college basketball's coveted award. These top 50 candidates are comprised of returning players, although transfers, freshmen and other players who excel throughout the season will be evaluated and considered for both the Midseason top 30 list and the National Ballot.
"With so many players jumping to the next level and so many standout athletes from last year, the committee had a tough time nominating these candidates from such a wide selection of tremendous players," said Duke Llewellyn, Wooden Award chairman. "These preseason selections represent the elite of college basketball, and our entire team at the Wooden Award is excited to see the best players in the nation prove their case as college basketball's player of the year."
As a freshman, Jay started thirty-two games and scored 383 points over thirty-four games. In his sophomore season, he scored 504 points and was the only Red Raider to start each game. His 15.3 points per game last season were second only to Ronald Ross's 17.5 points per game as the Red Raiders earned their way to the NCAA "Sweet Sixteen" and a 22-11 record. Jay also led the team with 114 assists. As a sophomore, he scored 20 (or more) points in eight games and established a new career output of 32 points at Oklahoma.
Former Red Raider Andre Emmett, now with the NBA's Miami Heat, was a preseason candidate prior to the 2003-2004 season and was selected a John R. Wooden All-America Award winner at the end of the his senior season.
In mid-January, the Wooden Award committee will release the midseason top 30 on CBS Sports, and on Tuesday, March 28, the 10-player Wooden Award All-America Team will be announced. The 2006 Award ceremony, which will include the presentation of the Men's and Women's Wooden Award, the Wooden Award All-America Teams and the Legends of Coaching Award, will be held at The Los Angeles Athletic Club on April 8, 2006, and will be broadcast live on a national CBS telecast.
