Chris Livingston, Cason Wallace, Antonio Reeves named to Preseason Watch Lists

Kentucky is well-represented on the preseason watch lists for the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame’s college basketball player awards.

On Wednesday, Chris Livingston was announced as one of 20 candidates in preseason consideration for the Julius Erving Award, presented to the best small forward each season. Livingston is likely to come off Kentucky’s bench to start the year, so his inclusion among the best small forwards in the country speaks highly of Kentucky’s depth and of Livingston’s potential as a first-year player.

Before the Naismith Hall of Fame selected Livingston for small forward recognition, on Tuesday the Hall named Cason Wallace and Antonio Reeves as two of the top 20 shooting guards to watch. Wallace, a freshman, and Reeves, a transfer from Illinois State, were one of only two sets of teammates named to the Jerry West Award watch list, joining Gonzaga’s Rasir Bolton and Malachi Smith.

And on Monday, Sahvir Wheeler was the first Kentucky player to get the Naismith watch list e-mail as one of 20 players in mind for the Bob Cousy Award, given to the best point guard.

At this pace, we are safe to assume the power forward and center watch lists will be released on Thursday and Friday, and even safer in assuming Oscar Tshiebwe will be named.

Also, fans are encouraged to vote in each of the three rounds for the Naismith awards. The five lists will be cut from 20 players to 10 players in January, then down to five nominees in February, before the final recipients are named at a to-be-determined date during the postseason.

Until then, Go Cats.