LSU’s star freshman point-forward Ben Simmons will not win collegiate basketball’s most prestigious honor, the John R. Wooden Award for Player of the Year, after his freshman season with the Tigers.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman, Simmons was not certified by LSU to be in contention for the honor for academic reasons.
“From what I was told, he didn’t meet all of the requirements,” said LSU coach Johnny Jones to ESPN.
LSU spokesman Kent Lowe also confirmed to ESPN that Simmons did not meet one, or more, of the required criteria for the award. The qualifications for the Wooden Award are:
— Candidates must be full-time students in an accredited NCAA college or university.
— Consideration should be given to scholastic achievement and aspirations. All candidates must have a cumulative 2.00 grade point average since enrolling in their current university.
— Candidates must exhibit strength of character, both on and off the court.
— Candidates should be those who contribute to the team effort.
— Candidates must excel in both offense and defense.
— Candidates should be considered on their performance over the course of the entire season (pre-conference, conference and tournament play).