Xavier’s Trevon Bluiett And Edmond Sumner named to preseason Wooden Award Top 50

Courtesy of GoXavier.com

CINCINNATI — The John R. Wooden Award presented by Wendy’ announced its Preseason Top 50 today and two Xavier All-America candidates are on the list, junior guard Trevon Bluiett and sophomore guard Edmond Sumner. Chosen by a preseason poll of national college basketball experts, the list is comprised of 50 student-athletes who are the early front-runners for one of college basketball’s most prestigious individual honors.

The preseason accolades continue to arrive for the talented duo. Earlier this month The Atlanta Tipoff Club announced its watch list of 50 players in consideration for the 2017 Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year and that list also included Bluiett and Sumner. In addition, Bluiett and Sumner are listed on the preseason watch list for the Lute Olson Award (collegeinsider.com), an award that is presented annually to the nation’s top Division I player who has played at least two seasons. Both Bluiett and Sumner were named 2016-17 preseason First Team All-BIG EAST.

This marks the first time in Xavier history that two players have been named to the John R. Wooden Award preseason list. It’s also the first time XU has had two players on the watch list for Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year.

The ESPN Top 100 College Player Rankings have Sumner listed at No. 24 and Bluiett at No. 28 in the nation.

Last season Bluiett, a 2016-17 preseason USA Today Third Team All-American, earned 2015-16 USA Today Third Team All-American and 2015-16 BIG EAST First Team honors, while Sumner was a unanimous selection to the 2015-16 BIG EAST All-Freshman Team and a 2015-16 Kyle Macy Freshman All-American (collegeinsider.com).

VIEW THE ENTIRE LIST HERE.