MSU's Malik Newman named to Jerry West Award watchlist

STARKVILLE -- Football offseasons are cluttered with preseason watchlists. Mississippi State men's basketball joined the lists earlier this week.

MSU freshman Malik Newman was named to the 2016 Jerry West Award watch list. The honor is in its second year and is given to the nation's top shooting guard. Newman was one of 20 candidates named.

By mid-February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2016 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award will be narrowed to just 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to the Hall of Fame’s selection committee.  The winner of the 2016 Jerry West Award will be presented at the ESPN College Basketball Awards Show live from Club Nokia in Los Angeles on April 8.

Newman played shooting guard in high school, but will play point guard at Mississippi State.

2016 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award Candidates

Allonzo Trier, Arizona

Anthony Drmic, Boise State

Kellen Dunham, Butler

Jordan Matthews, California

Grayson Allen, Duke

Dwayne Bacon, Florida State

Marvell Harris, Fresno State

James Blackmon, Indiana

AJ English, Iona

Antonio Blakeney, Louisiana State

Rasheed Sulaimon, Maryland

Sheldon McClellan, Miami

Caris Levert, Michigan

Malik Newman, Mississippi State

Buddy Hield, Oklahoma

E.C. Matthews, Rhode Island

Danuel House, Texas A&M

Melvin Johnson, Virginia Commonwealth

Malcom Brogdon, Virginia

Ron Baker, Wichita State