Baylor MBB Trio Tabbed to Wooden Award Preseason Top-50

[Roberts, Matt]

BAYLOR ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS – Nov. 7, 2024

Baylor MBB Trio Tabbed to Wooden Award Preseason Top-50
The Bears are one of three schools with three or more representatives
For more information contact: Matt Roberts, 254-227-2280, WM_Roberts at Baylor.edu<mailto:WM_Roberts at Baylor.edu>

LOS ANGELES – A talented trio of Baylor men’s basketball players headlined the Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 announced Thursday by the Los Angeles Athletic Club.

VJ Edgecombe, Norchad Omier and Jeremy Roach are three of the 50 players chosen as the early frontrunners for the most prestigious honors in college basketball, the Wooden Award All American Team and Most Outstanding Player Award.

Baylor joins Alabama and Kansas as the only schools in the country with three or more honorees.

The Wooden Award Watch List distinction is the latest in a parade of preseason accolades for these three Bears, each claiming a spot on their respective positional award preseason watch lists by the Naismith Hall of Fame. All three players were also named to the Naismith Trophy Watch List last week, making BU one of just two schools with at least three honorees on that list.

The preseason Big 12 Freshman of the Year, Edgecombe is projected to be Baylor's third lottery pick in the last five drafts. Boasting a strong performance with the Bahamian National team in the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament this summer, the freshman averaged 16.5 points, 3.8 assists and 2.0 steals in four games. In his first game action, the freshman played 29 minutes, grabbing seven rebounds and throwing down a highlight reel dunk<https://x.com/big12studios/status/1853687498314035211> in the second half against No. 6 Gonzaga.

Named the Big 12's preseason co-Newcomer of the Year, Roach scored nine points with three assists in his first game action in a Baylor uniform on Tuesday night. A Bob Cousy Award Watch List honoree last week, Roach aims to continue a promising trend of point guards under Scott Drew, as Baylor’s head coach has helped 13 of his last 14 point guards earn All-Big 12 honors over the last 18 seasons.

Omier led the way for Baylor in the season opener, pouring in team highs with 15 points and nine rebounds, becoming the first player with at least 15 points and nine rebounds in their Baylor debut since MaCio Teague had 18 and 10 in his first game in 2019. The Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team selection came to Baylor after a couple of dominant seasons with the Miami Hurricanes, leading the 'Canes to the only Final Four in Program history in 2023. Last season, the Bluefields, Nicaragua, native averaged 17.0 points and 10.0 boards, earning a spot on the All-ACC second team.

Players will have the ability to play their way into consideration for the award until the late-season ballot is established. Approximately 1,000 voters will rank the players when voting opens before the NCAA Tournament. Voters will be allowed to consider a player’s performance during tournament early-round games when voting. The Wooden Award All-American Team will be announced the week of the Elite Eight, while the Wooden Award comes out in April.

Edgcombe, Omier and Roach will lead the No. 8 Bears back into action on Saturday night, Nov. 9, when they take on No. 16 Arkansas at 6:30 p.m. at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Tickets are available now and can be purchased through TicketMaster.<https://www.ticketmaster.com/baylor-v-arkansas-mens-basketball-dallas-texas-11-09-2024/event/0C0061397EDA1120>

Follow @BaylorMBB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for additional updates.

2024-25 Season Awards
VJ Edgecombe
Preseason Big 12 Freshman of the Year
Jerry West Award Watch List
Naismith Trophy Watch List
Wooden Award Preseason Top-50

Norchad Omier
Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team
NABC Player of the Year Watch List
Naismith Trophy Watch List
Karl Malone Award Watch List
Wooden Award Preseason Top-50

Jeremy Roach
Big 12 co-Newcomer of the Year
Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team
Bob Cousy Award Watch List
Naismith Trophy Watch List
Wooden Award Preseason Top-50

—BaylorBears.com—







Matt Roberts | Director of Athletic Communications (MBB/MGOLF/ WGOLF)
Department of Athletics | Baylor University
C: 254-227-2280
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