Nov. 16, 2010

LEXINGTON, Ky. – UK freshman guard Brandon Knight was named to the Naismith Preseason Watch list as announced by the Atlanta Tip-Off Club.

One of six freshmen on the watch list, Knight was one of the top recruits in the country last season according to ESPN Recruiting, Rivals.com and Scout.com recruiting services.

The watch list was compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors, which based its criteria on player performances from the previous year and expectations for the 2010-11 college basketball season. The Naismith Trophy presented by AT&T will be awarded at the 2011 NCAA Men’s Final Four in Indianapolis, Ind.

Since 2005, presenting sponsor AT&T has set the standard in allowing fans to participate in determining the trophy winner. Through the power and ease of text messaging, fan voting will account for an unprecedented 25% of the final results – more than any other national college basketball award.  In February, during CBS’ coverage of college basketball, the “AT&T at the Half” segment will feature a Naismith Trophy update highlighting the players in contention for the award. 

In late February, the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors will compile a mid-season team of the Top 30 players in the nation.  Then in March, the Naismith Trophy voting academy will vote to narrow the list to the four finalists.