BYU junior 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, marking the second consecutive season the 6-foot-1 floor general has appeared on the preseason list.
Big 12 Recognition
Wright III is one of three players from the Big 12 included on the 20-player preseason list, alongside Houston’s Dedan Thomas Jr. and West Virginia’s Miles Sadler. The Bob Cousy Award, which is celebrating its 24th year, recognizes the top point guard in NCAA Division I men's college basketball.
Recent Exhibition Performance
The Wilmington, Delaware native demonstrated his recent form during an exhibition match on Saturday afternoon in Las Vegas, where he recorded 19 points, four assists, and two steals in 29 minutes of action. That performance contributed to a BYU 89-77 victory over UNLV. After trailing by as much as 12 in the first half, Wright III went 3-of-5 from the field in the second half, including two successful attempts from behind the arc, as the Cougars outscored the Runnin’ Rebels 48-35 over the final 20 minutes.
Victory Over Nebraska
In a previous exhibition on Oct. 16, Wright III scored 10 of his 17 points in the second half during a 72-61 victory over Nebraska. That win allowed the Cougars to avenge a loss to the Cornhuskers from the previous season in Lincoln. During that contest, the junior also recorded seven assists and five rebounds.
Sophomore Season Statistics
During his sophomore season in Provo, Wright III was a primary offensive force for the Cougars. He ranked second on the team in scoring with an average of 18.1 points per game and 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 three-point range, and 82.1 percent from the free throw line.
Academic and Program Milestones
Beyond his statistical output, Wright III has earned recognition for his academic and on-court performance. He received CSC Third Team Academic All-American honors, a distinction highlighted by a double-double performance consisting of 10 points and 11 assists during a 28-point victory over No. 23 Wisconsin at the Delta Center. That win over the Badgers represents the third-largest margin of victory over a ranked opponent in program history.
Hall of Fame Award Structure
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the preseason watch lists for both the men's and women's awards on Monday. While the Bob Cousy Award focuses on men's Division I point guards, the Nancy Lieberman Award, held in partnership with the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), recognizes the top point guard in NCAA Division I women's college basketball. The Lieberman Award is currently in its 28th year.
Selection and Voting Process
The selection process for the Bob Cousy Award involves narrowing the 20-player watch list to 10 players in late January, and then to five finalists in late February. The five finalists are presented to the selection committees in March, which include media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers. Fan voting for the awards is scheduled to begin on Friday, Oct. 30.
