After not appearing all season long, Ohio State forward E.J. Liddell has made it onto the Wooden Award list as one of fifteen finalists. The award goes out to college basketball’s top player annually.
Liddell, a sophomore, has had a breakout year for the Buckeyes. A two-time Illinois Mr. Basketball, his freshman campaign showed flashes of brilliance, but he’s made a significant step in development and consistency his sophomore season. He’s expanded his game with a mid-range and outside jumper, and has learned to be more physical in and around the blocks.
He leads Ohio State in points (15.9), rebounds (6.7), and blocks (1.1) per game. He is third on the team in minutes played. It’s not an easy argument to make that he’s been the team’s best player, and one of the best in the Big Ten.
The whole country is watching. 📺
B1G Men's 🏀 is home to 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 of the 20 @WoodenAward Watch List Nominees.
That's more than the other Power 5 conferences 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝. pic.twitter.com/iEP0oek3Sz
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 9, 2021
The complete list of finalists are:
Charles Bassey, Center – Western Kentucky
Jared Butler, Guard – Baylor
Kofi Cockburn, Center – Illinois
Cade Cunningham, Guard – Oklahoma State
Hunter Dickinson, Center – Michigan
Ayo Dosunmu, Guard – Illinois
Luka Garza, Center – Michigan
Collin Gillespie, Guard – Villanova
Trayce Jackson-Davis, Forward – Indiana
Corey Kispert, Forward – Gonzaga
E.J. Liddell, Forward – Ohio State
Evan Mobley, Forward – USC
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Forward – Villanova
Jalen Suggs, Guard – Gonzaga
Drew Timme, Forward – Gonzaga
The Wooden Award winner will be announced during the Final Four in April. Evan Turner is the only Buckeye to have won the award in its 44-year history.
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