Xavier University Athletics

Jack Nunge Named To The Preseason Watch List For The Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award
10.28.22 | Men's Basketball
Award recognizes the top center in the nation.
CINCINNATI --- The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today that Xavier University graduate student Jack Nunge has been named as one of the 20 Watch List members for the 2023 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award. Named after Class of 1995 Hall of Famer and three-time NCAA Champion Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the annual honor in its ninth year recognizes the top center in men's college basketball. A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates.
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, in each of the three rounds beginning Friday, October 28. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2023 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award will be narrowed to 10 and then in late February to just five. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Erving and the Hall of Fame's selection committee where a winner will be selected.
Nunge, who was named Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team by the league coaches earlier this month, led XU last season in scoring at 13.4 ppg. (16th in the BIG EAST), rebounding (ninth in the BIG EAST at 7.4 rpg.) and blocks (ninth in the BIG EAST at 1.4 bpg.)
Nunge was named to the 2022 NIT All-Tournament Team after helping lead XU to the NIT Championship, averaging 13.4 ppg. and 7.0 rpg. and shooting 66.7 percent from the field for XU's five victories, including the game-winning bank shot with three seconds left in the 73-72 championship game win over Texas A&M. In addition to the NIT honor, Nunge was named to the 2022 NABC All-District Second Team, 2022 All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention by the league coaches and to the CoSIDA Academic All-District® First Team.
Xavier opens the 2022-23 season on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at Cintas Center with an exhibition game against Kentucky Wesleyan. Opening Night is Monday, Nov. 7 vs. Morgan State.
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, in each of the three rounds beginning Friday, October 28. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2023 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award will be narrowed to 10 and then in late February to just five. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Erving and the Hall of Fame's selection committee where a winner will be selected.
Nunge, who was named Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team by the league coaches earlier this month, led XU last season in scoring at 13.4 ppg. (16th in the BIG EAST), rebounding (ninth in the BIG EAST at 7.4 rpg.) and blocks (ninth in the BIG EAST at 1.4 bpg.)
Nunge was named to the 2022 NIT All-Tournament Team after helping lead XU to the NIT Championship, averaging 13.4 ppg. and 7.0 rpg. and shooting 66.7 percent from the field for XU's five victories, including the game-winning bank shot with three seconds left in the 73-72 championship game win over Texas A&M. In addition to the NIT honor, Nunge was named to the 2022 NABC All-District Second Team, 2022 All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention by the league coaches and to the CoSIDA Academic All-District® First Team.
Xavier opens the 2022-23 season on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at Cintas Center with an exhibition game against Kentucky Wesleyan. Opening Night is Monday, Nov. 7 vs. Morgan State.
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