University of Kentucky senior forward Chuck Hayes has been named one of 50 preseason candidates for the prestigious John R. Wooden Award. The list, announced today, is composed of student-athletes who, based on last year?s individual performance and team records, are the early frontrunners for the coveted trophy.

Hayes, a 6-6 forward from Modesto, Calif., is one of two returning starters on the 2004-05 Kentucky squad. He averaged 10.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg as a junior, while earning Associated Press Third Team All-Southeastern Conference and SEC All-Tournament team honors in 2004. The leader has started 76-straight games, the longest active streak on the team and 34 games shy of the school record, set by the great Alex Groza.

Hayes was one of five SEC players on the team as he was joined by Florida?s David Lee and Anthony Roberson, Mississippi State?s Lawrence Roberts and Alabama?s Kennedy Winston.

This marks the seventh consecutive year that Kentucky has been represented on the Wooden Award?s initial watch list. Last season Gerald Fitch made the list, while Keith Bogans was a player to watch in 2002. Both Bogans and Tayshaun Prince, a 2004 NBA World Champion, were among the top 50 in 2001, and Bogans also made the list as a sophomore in 2000. Scott Padgett was on the list in 1998 and 1999, when only 25 candidates were named.

Throughout the season, the group will be evaluated and considered for the Midseason Top 30 list, released in mid-January. On Tuesday, March 29, 2005, the ten-player Wooden Award All-America Team will be announced. The men?s and women?s Wooden Award will be announced at the 2005 Award ceremony at The Los Angeles Athletic Club on April 9, which will be broadcast live on CBS.