Hummel Named To Wooden Award Preseason Top 50

hummel_vs_valpoPurdue senior Robbie Hummel was among the players named to the John R. Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 list on Monday when the Los Angeles Athletic Club released the early frontrunners for one of college basketball’s most prestigious awards.

Monday’s announcement marks the fourth time in Hummel’s career that he has been named to the Wooden Award preseason list, as he earned inclusion prior to his season-ending injury a year ago. He was a finalist for the trophy in both 2008 and 2010.

A 2010 All-American and two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection, Hummel will head into his final collegiate campaign with career averages of 13.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest. He has connected on 144 three-point field goals – the eighth-most in program history – and has the opportunity to become just the fifth Boilermaker to ever make 200 in his career.

The Valparaiso, Ind., native was named MVP of the 2009 Big Ten Tournament after leading Purdue to its first-ever title at the event, and earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition in both 2009 and 2010.

The Big Ten ranks second among all conferences with nine representatives on the Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 list: William Buford (Ohio State), Aaron Craft (Ohio State), Draymond Green (Michigan State), Tim Hardaway, Jr. (Michigan), Hummel, Trevor Mbakwe (Minnesota), John Shurna (Northwestern), Jared Sullinger (Ohio State) and Jordan Taylor (Wisconsin).

Transfers, freshmen and medical redshirts are not eligible for the preseason list, which is comprised of players considered strong candidates for the official voting ballot that will be released during the season. The presentation of the 2012 Wooden Award will take place during the weekend of April 6-8 in Los Angeles.