The United States Basketball Writers Association has announced LSU freshman forward Ben Simmons will received the Integris Wayman Tisdale Award, given to the national freshman of the year.
The Tisdale Award is Simmons’ third freshman of year honor as he was already given the distinction by Sporting News and USA Today. The 6-foot-10 Australian was also named a first-team All-American by the USBWA, joining Marquette’s Henry Ellenson, Kentucky’s Jamal Murray, Duke’s Brandon Ingram and California’s Jaylen Brown. 
Simmons tied former UCLA forward Kevin Love for third-most double-doubles by freshman in Division I history. With a 19.8-point, 11.8-rebound average this season, he was fifth among all players this season in double-doubles. 
The last LSU freshman to win the Tisdale Award was former Tiger guard Chris Jackson in 1989. Simmons is scheduled to receive the award on April 11 at the College Basketball Awards in Oklahoma City. 
Regarded as the potential No. 1 overall pick in 2016 NBA draft by some organizations, Simmons has yet to make a formal announcement about his plans for next season.