Three days after arguably the best game of his career, Kaleb Wesson became a finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award. He's one of 10 big men in contention for the honor.
The other nine candidates include Vernon Carey Jr. (Duke), Omer Yurtseven (Georgetown), Filip Petrusev (Gonzaga), Luka Garza (Iowa), Udoka Azubuike (Kansas), Daniel Oturu (Minnesota), Onyeka Okongwu (USC), Isaiah Stewart (Washington) and Nathan Knight (William and Mary).
Wesson, a junior who leads the Buckeyes both in scoring and on the glass, averages 14.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 28.8 minutes per game. He has hit 46.3 percent of his shots from the field, 41.9 percent of his 3-point attempts and 71.9 percent of his free throws.
In a 61-58 win against Michigan on Tuesday, Wesson collected his 10th double-double of the season with 23 points and 12 assists in 36 minutes, winning the matchup against Jon Teske.
"Kaleb today, I think, was who he is and that is one of the best bigs in the country," Chris Holtmann said after the time. "Sometimes he can have games where he struggles, just like everybody else. But he played like one of the best big men in the country."
The Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award will be presented on April 10 at the College Basketball Awards in Los Angeles.
