Senior Forward Cleanthony Early has been named to the Preseason Top 50 for the John R. Wooden Award today on ESPN.com. Chosen by a preseason poll of national college basketball experts, the list is comprised of 50 student-athletes who are the early front-runners for the sport's most prestigious honor.
The Middletown, N.Y. native helped the Shockers to the 2013 Final Four and represents Wichita State and the Missouri Valley Conference on the list. Early was a 1st-team all-MVC selection last year and the MVC Newcomer of the Year. He was tabbed the MVC Preseason Player of the Year for 2013-14.
Early has started two games for the Shockers and is averaging 16 points and six rebounds to start the 2013-14 season.
About the John R. Wooden Award:
Created in 1976, the John R. Wooden Award is the most prestigious individual honor in college basketball. It is bestowed upon the nation's best player at an institution of higher education who has proven to his or her university that he or she is making progress toward graduation and maintaining a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA.
