Monte Morris named to Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List

Feb 16, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Monte Morris (11) celebrates a basket against the Baylor Bears during a game at Ferrell Center. Baylor won 100-91 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa State senior point guard Monte Morris‘ name has been listed amongst the nation’s best college basketball players — again.

Morris has been named to the Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced on Thursday. The award is given to the best player in college basketball each season.

The Flint, Mich. native averaged 13.8 points and 6.9 assists during his junior season for the Cyclones. Morris, the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year and an Associated Press Preseason All-American, enters the season as the Big 12’s active leader in career assists (551) and steals (172).

He is also on the Bob Cousy Award and Lute Olson Award watch lists.

Other Big 12 players on the Naismith list include Kansas’ Frank Mason, Devonte’ Graham and Josh Jackson, Texas’ Jarrett Allen, Baylor’s Jonathan Motley and Oklahoma State’s Jawun Evans.

Iowa State will tip-off the regular season when Savannah State visits Hilton Coliseum on Friday night at 7.

Jared Stansbury

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Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

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