CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State senior men’s basketball player Gary Payton II was named to the 2015 Lute Olson Preseason Player of the Year Watch List on Monday.
The Lute Olson Award is presented annually to the nation's top Division I player who has played at least two seasons. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible for the preseason Watch List.
The award is named in honor of Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson, who won 780 games in 34 seasons, 24 of which were spent at the University of Arizona. During that stretch he led the Wildcats to 11 Pac-10 Conference titles, 23 consecutive NCAA Tournaments, four Final Four appearances and a National Championship in 1997.