Wooden Watch™

Following the top candidates for the

2024 John R. Wooden Award

Preseason Poll - The John R. Wooden Award Preseason Committee begins the selection process in October of the year preceding the Wooden Award announcement. The committee evaluates players to determine the Women’s Preseason Top 50 and the Men’s Preseason Top 50.

Midseason Poll - In mid January, the committee whittles the list down to the Midseason Top 25 candidates for the men and women. Players who do not make the Preseason or Midseason lists are still eligible for consideration for the final ballot.

Late Season Poll - In early February, the committee whittles the list down to the Late Season Top 20 candidates for the men and women. These lists are intended to give our voters an indication of players in contention for the Award. Players who do not make the Preseason, Midseason, or Late Season lists are still eligible for consideration for the final ballot.

From these three lists, the Wooden Award offices begins to certify with universities and colleges that players are making progress toward graduation and have a minimum GPA of 2.00 at their current institution (certified by the university). In addition, following the release of the midseason poll, additional players are tracked and certified to meet the Wooden Award criteria.

The National Ballot - By the end of February, the Wooden Award National Advisory Board slates the ballot down to 15 players for both men and women. The official ballot is released in late February and sent to nearly 1,000 voters for the men’s award and 300 voters for the women’s award. The accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP compiles the results.

The Announcement of the All Americans - The 10-player men's and women's All American Team is announced following the “Elite Eight” round of the NCAA Tournament. The players who receive the most votes are invited to the Los Angeles Athletic Club for the Wooden Award presentation the weekend following the NCAA championship game.

A replica trophy bearing the winner’s name is given to the winner’s university during the ESPN College Basketball Awards honoring the All American teams and the Legends of Coaching winner. Each coach of the winners receives a scholarship check for his university’s general fund.

The John R. Wooden High School Player of the Year Awards are presented at the Wooden Award banquet. The awards are presented to the most valuable player in each of the six California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section divisions and one Los Angeles City division.