Iowa State’s Lipsey, Jefferson Named to Oscar Robertson Trophy Watch List
Iowa State seniors Tamin Lipsey and Joshua Jefferson have been named to the preseason watch list for the Oscar Robertson Trophy, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association announced Monday.
The list includes 50 returning college basketball players from across the country. The Oscar Robertson Trophy, first awarded in the 1958-59 season, is the nation’s oldest national player of the year award and the only one named after a former player — the Hall of Famer known as “The Big O.”
The honor adds to a growing list of preseason accolades for the Cyclone duo. Lipsey has also been named to the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Men’s College Player of the Year Watch List presented by AXIA Time, the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Watch List and the 10-player All-Big 12 Preseason Team. Jefferson previously earned a spot on the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Watch List.
Lipsey, a two-time All-Big 12 selection, was a semifinalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award last season and a finalist for the Nolan Richardson Award, given to the player who serves as the heart and soul of a winning team. He broke Monte Morris’ career steals record on Feb. 22 and became the 35th Cyclone to surpass 1,000 career points on March 4.
Lipsey averaged 10.6 points, 3.1 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 2.0 steals last season and is one of only 26 Division I players since 1947-48 to appear in at least 100 games while averaging 10.2 points, 4.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals.
Jefferson emerged as a do-it-all performer for the Cyclones, earning All-Big 12 Second Team and All-Newcomer Team honors. Starting all 35 games, he averaged 13.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.1 steals and 0.7 blocks per game.
He was the only player in the nation last season — and the first in Big 12 history — to record at least 450 points, 250 rebounds, 100 assists, 70 steals and 25 blocks. In the NCAA Tournament, he became the first player ever to post at least 10 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, three steals and two blocks in a single game, doing so in Iowa State’s win over Lipscomb.
