Virginia Tech guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been named to the Oscar Robertson Trophy Midseason Watch List. The United States Basketball Writers Association gives the award annually to the nation's top player. Members of the association's board of directors chose the players to be included on the list as contenders for the National Player of the Year.
The sophomore from Toronto, Canada, leads the Hokies and is fourth in the ACC in scoring, averaging 18.5 points per game. He has scored in double figures in all 11 games this season, including six games of 20-or-more points. He also leads the Hokies and the ACC in steals.
Alexander-Walker was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Week for the week ending Nov. 18 after being named the MVP of the Charleston Classic. The Hokies won the championship of the event. He was also named MVP of the Hokies' Boardwalk Classic game on Dec. 15.
Alexander-Walker is one of 20 players on the list and one of five ACC players on the watch list. The trophy has been presented by the USBWA every year since the 1958-59 season, when Oscar Robertson was the initial winner. Jalen Brunson of Villanova won the trophy last season.
While these standout players are the initial contenders for the Oscar Robertson Trophy, all NCAA Division I players are eligible for postseason honors from the USBWA. For the 10th straight season, the USBWA is presented an Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week each Tuesday that began Dec. 11.
In March, the USBWA will announce its 2018-19 All-America Team and, at that time, finalists will also be chosen for the player of the year. Once finalists are announced, the entire USBWA membership will vote for the winner of the Oscar Robertson Trophy.
The Hokies return to action on Friday, Dec. 28, as they host Maryland-Eastern Shore at 7 p.m. at the Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum. For tickets, click HERE.
Oscar Robertson Trophy Midseason Watch List
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Virginia Tech
R.J. Barrett, Duke
Bol Bol, Oregon
Ignas Brazdeikis, Michigan
Jordan Caroline, Nevada
Brandon Clarke, Gonzaga
Jarrett Culver, Texas Tech
Mike Daum, South Dakota State
Carson Edwards, Purdue
Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga
Ethan Happ, Wisconsin
Markus Howard, Marquette
De'Andre Hunter, Virginia
Dedric Lawson, Kansas
Caleb Martin, Nevada
C.J. Massinburg, Buffalo
Luke Maye, North Carolina
Shamorie Ponds, St. John's
Grant Williams, Tennessee
Zion Williamson, Duke