Along with racking in his third Southeastern Conference Men’s Basketball Freshman of the Week accolade this season, freshman guard Tre Johnson was named a Top 10 midseason candidate for the Jerry West Award.
Named after Class of 1980 Hall of Famer and 1959 NCAA Final Four Most Valuable Player Jerry West, the Jerry West Award is an annual honor given to the top shooting guard in Division I men’s college basketball.
Johnson, one of three freshmen on the list, has made a huge impact on the Texas team so far this season. He currently leads the team in minutes per game with 32.6, ranks second in assists, and third in steals.
The Garland, Texas, local has reached double figures in 19 of his 20 games played, making his career record of 30 points against No. 13 Texas A&M. Consistent on the court, Johnson currently leads the SEC in scoring with 19 points per game.
The two other freshmen in the top 10, Baylor guard V.J. Edgecombe and Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis, both have less with 14.9 and 15.6 points per game respectively.
In fact, the only player on the list who has more points per game this season than Johnson is Memphis sophomore guard PJ Haggerty. So, if Johnson continues his success this season, he will likely remain on the list as it is narrowed to five players in March.
“I still have areas to grow,” Johnson said after the Texas A&M game. “By the time we get towards the end of the SEC tournament, I still have to (improve) from what I have done now if I want to still be able to have a chance to win and be able to compete.”
If he makes the list, Johnson and the five other finalists will be presented to West’s family and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee, where a winner will be decided. The announcement date has not yet been released.
