CHAPEL HILL – University of North Carolina’s Kennedy Meeks, a junior from Charlotte, N.C., is one of 20 players on the preseason watch list for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, which is presented by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame to college basketball’s top center.
Meeks averaged 11.4 points and 7.3 rebounds and shot 56.2 percent from the floor as a sophomore. He has started 49 of 71 games over the previous two seasons.
Earlier this week, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced its other four position award watch lists. Marcus Paige was one of 20 candidates for the Bob Cousy (point guard) Award, Brice Johnson was on the Karl Malone (power forward) Award list and Justin Jackson was a player to watch for the Julius Erving (small forward) Award.