Lawson named to Wooden Midseason Top 25 list
LOS ANGELES – Kansas redshirt junior Dedric Lawson has been named to the John R. Wooden Award presented by Wendy’s Midseason Top 25 list, the Los Angeles Athletic Club announced Wednesday. Just two seasons ago, KU’s Frank Mason III won the 2017 Wooden Award becoming the second Jayhawk to win the honor as he joined Danny Manning (1988).
The 2018-19 Preseason Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, Lawson is having a solid season for No. 7/9 Kansas (12-2, 1-1 Big 12). The Memphis, Tennessee, forward leads the Big 12 in rebounding at 11.1 rebounds per game and double-doubles with 10, which is tied for third nationally. He is third in the conference in scoring at 18.6 points per contest. A three-time Big 12 Player of the Week (11/12, 11/26, 12/26) and two-time league newcomer of the week (12/3, 12/17), Lawson is the only player in the conference averaging a double-double.
Lawson is vying to become the first Jayhawk to lead the league in rebound average since All-American Thomas Robinson in 2011-12. Entering Wednesday’s game against TCU, Lawson has scored 20 or more points in seven of his last 11 games.
The players on the list are considered strong candidates for the 2019 John R. Wooden Award Men’s Player of the Year presented by Wendy’s. Players not chosen to the midseason list are still eligible for the Wooden Award™ late season list and the National Ballot. The National Ballot consists of 15 top players who have proven to their universities that they meet or exceed the qualifications of the Wooden Award. Nearly 1,000 voters will rank in order 10 of those 15 players when voting opens prior to the NCAA Tournament and will allow voters to take into consideration performance during early round games. The Wooden Award All American Team™ will be announced the week of the “Elite Eight” round of the NCAA Tournament. The winner of the 2019 John R. Wooden Award will be presented by Wendy’s during the ESPN College Basketball Awards on Friday, April 12, 2019.
John R. Wooden Award Presented by Wendy’s Midseason Top 25 (Men’s)
| Name | School | Conference | Height | Class | Position |
| Nickeil Alexander-Walker | Virginia Tech | ACC | 6-5 | So. | G |
| RJ Barrett | Duke | ACC | 6-7 | Fr. | F |
| Ignas Brazdeikis | Michigan | Big Ten | 6-7 | Fr. | F |
| Jordan Caroline | Nevada | Mountain West | 6-7 | Sr. | G/F |
| Jarrett Culver | Texas Tech | Big 12 | 6-6 | So. | G |
| Mike Daum | South Dakota State | Summit League | 6-9 | Sr. | F |
| Carsen Edwards | Purdue | Big Ten | 6-1 | Jr. | G |
| Rui Hachimura | Gonzaga | WCC | 6-8 | Jr. | F |
| Ethan Happ | Wisconsin | Big Ten | 6-10 | Sr. | F |
| Markus Howard | Marquette | Big East | 5-11 | Jr. | G |
| De’Andre Hunter | Virginia | ACC | 6-7 | So. | G |
| Keldon Johnson | Kentucky | SEC | 6-6 | Fr. | G |
| Romeo Langford | Indiana | Big Ten | 6-6 | Fr. | G |
| Dedric Lawson | Kansas | Big 12 | 6-9 | Jr. | F |
| Caleb Martin | Nevada | Mountain West | 6-7 | Sr. | F |
| Luke Maye | North Carolina | ACC | 6-8 | Sr. | F |
| Ja Morant | Murray State | Ohio Valley | 6-3 | So. | G |
| Jordan Murphy | Minnesota | Big Ten | 6-7 | Sr. | F |
| James Palmer Jr. | Nebraska | Big Ten | 6-6 | Sr. | G |
| Shamorie Ponds | St. John’s | Big East | 6-1 | Jr. | G |
| Myles Powell | Seton Hall | Big East | 6-2 | Jr. | G |
| Admiral Schofield | Tennessee | SEC | 6-6 | Sr. | G |
| Grant Williams | Tennessee | SEC | 6-7 | Jr. | F |
| Zion Williamson | Duke | ACC | 6-7 | Fr. | F |
| Cassius Winston | Michigan State | Big Ten | 6-1 | Jr. | G |
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