James Bouknight, a sophomore guard on the UConn men's basketball team, was named to the Top 50 preseason watch list for the prestigious John R. Wooden Award on Tuesday.

And four members of the UConn women's basketball team were named to the Wooden Award Preseason Top 30. Juniors Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Evina Westbrook and Christyn Williams and freshman Paige Bueckers were all named to the watch list. UConn leads all programs with four selections to the Top 30.

It's the third preseason honor for Bouknight, who is also a candidate for the Naismith Trophy Award and the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award. Bouknight has led UConn to victories in its first two games of the 2020-21 season, averaging 19.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game and shooting .519 overall.

The Wooden Award All American Team will be announced the week of the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament. The winner of the 2021 John R. Wooden Award will be presented by Wendy's following the NCAA Tournament in April.

— Day staff reports