BYU's Robert Wright III was named to the Naismith Starting 5 – Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Top 20 Preseason Watch List on Monday morning, according to a October 26 report. The 6-foot-1 floor general is one of three players from the Big 12 to appear on the list, alongside Houston's Dedan Thomas Jr. and West Virginia's Miles Sadler.
The Wilmington, Del., native recorded 19 points, four assists, and two steals during 29 minutes of action in a BYU 89-77 exhibition victory over UNLV on Saturday afternoon in Las Vegas. During the second half, Wright III went 3-of-5 from the field, including two successful three-point attempts, as the Cougars outscored the Runnin' Rebels 48-35 over the final 20 minutes.
In a previous exhibition victory over Nebraska on Oct. 16, Wright III scored 10 of his 17 points in the second half to help BYU overcome a four-point halftime deficit. During that matchup, he also contributed seven assists and five rebounds in a 72-61 win.
During his sophomore season in Provo, Wright III averaged 18.1 points per game, ranking second on the team in scoring. He also recorded 162 assists, which stands as the 10th most assists in a single season in program history. He scored in double figures in 32 of his 35 starts while shooting 46.7 percent from the field, 41.0 percent from the field, and 82.1 percent from the free throw line.
The Bob Cousy Award celebrates its 24th year by highlighting the top point guard in Division I men's college basketball. The award is named after Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtics and Holy Cross guard Bob Cousy. In late January, the 20-player watch list will be narrowed to 10 players, and then to five players in late February. The five finalists will be presented to Cousy and the Hall of Fame selection committees in March to select the winner.
The winner of the 2027 Bob Cousy Award will be presented on a date to be determined, alongside the four other members of the Men's Starting Five.
