Wichita State's Tyson Etienne was one of 40 players named Thursday to the Lute Olson Award preseason watch list.
 
Named in honor of legendary head coach Lute Olson, the award is presented annually by CollegeInsider.com to the top player in Division I college basketball.
 
The 6-2 guard from Englewood, N.J. is in his third season with the Shocker program.
 
A year ago Etienne averaged a team-high 16.3 points and a school-record 2.95 three-per-game on his way to co-player of the year honors in the American Athletic Conference.
 
Etienne is one of four players from The American who made the watch list, joined by Memphis freshman Emoni Bates, SMU senior Kendric Davis and Houston junior Marcus Sasser.
 
The winner will be announced on Final Four weekend.
 
Wichita State opens its 2021-22 season Tuesday evening against Jacksonville State at Charles Koch Arena (7 p.m. CT, ESPN+).