SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — WKU junior center
Charles Bassey has been recognized as a top-10 finalist for the 2021 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Friday.
In addition, Bassey has also been named to this season's National Player of the Year watch lists for the John Wooden Award, Naismith Trophy and Lute Olson Award. He is also on the watch list for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.
The Hillopper big man currently leads the nation in blocks (55), rebounds (195), double-doubles (11) and dunks (43). He also ranks second in blocks per game (3.44) and defensive rebounds per game (8.81), as well as third in total rebounds per game (12.2).
The Nigeria native is also one of just two players in the country with multiple games this season of at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks, and the only player with three such games. Bassey collected his sixth C-USA Player of the Week nod on Monday, tying the league record for most in a single season.
In late February, five finalists will be presented to Mr. Abdul-Jabbar and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The winner of the 2021 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award will be presented on Friday, April 9, along with the other four members of the Men's Starting Five.
Named after Class of 1995 Hall of Famer and three-time NCAA Champion Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the annual honor in its seventh year recognizes the top centers in men's college basketball. A national committee comprising top college basketball personnel trimmed the initial watch list to 10 candidates.
For more information on the 2021 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the latest updates, log onto
www.hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophall and #KareemAward on Twitter and Instagram.
2021 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award Candidates*
Kofi Cockburn, Illinois
Luka Garza, Iowa
Hunter Dickinson, Michigan
Liam Robbins, Minnesota
Nate Watson, Providence
Trevion Williams, Purdue
Evan Mobley, USC
Neemias Queta, Utah State
Derek Culver, West Virginia
Charles Bassey, Western Kentucky
*Players can play their way onto and off of the list at any point in the 2020-2021 season*