Dec. 15, 2011

LEXINGTON, Ky. – UK men’s basketball signee Alex Poythress is among the top six senior boys named to the Naismith Trophy High School Player of the Year preseason watch list as announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.

Poythress is currently a senior at Clarksville Northeast High School in Clarksville, Tenn. where he is averaging 29.0 points through nine games this season.

The watch list was comprised by leading basketball journalists from around the country who form the national voting academy, and identify players under consideration for the award.

Scout.com ranks Poythress 16th overall in the class of 2012 and the No. 3 small forward. ESPNU Recruiting has him 17th overall and No. 4 at his position, while Rivals.com ranks him 19th overall and No. 8 at his position.

Kentucky returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 17, hosting the Chattanooga Mocs. The game is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. ET tip and can be seen live on CSS.