PROVO, Utah – BYU’s Robert Wright III was named to the Naismith Starting 5 – Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Top 20 Preseason Watch List on Monday morning.
Wright III finds himself on the preseason list for a second consecutive season as the 6-foot-1 floor general is one of three players from the Big 12 named to the list, joined by Houston’s Dedan Thomas Jr. and West Virginia’s Miles Sadler.
| 2027 Naismith Starting 5 - Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Top 20 Preseason Watch List | |
| Name | School |
| Aden Holloway | Alabama |
| Jordan Smith Jr. | Arkansas |
| Tahaad Pettiford | Auburn |
| Robert Wright III | BYU |
| Boogie Fland | Florida |
| Dedan Thomas Jr. | Houston |
| Markus Burton | Indiana |
| Jackson Shelstad | Louisville |
| Donovan Dent | LSU |
| Nigel James Jr. | Marquette |
| Acaden Lewis | Miami |
| Elliot Cadeau | Michigan |
| Jeremy Fears Jr. | Michigan State |
| Josh Hubbard | Mississippi State |
| Jason Crowe Jr. | Missouri |
| Quinn Ellis | Stl John's |
| Silas Demary Jr. | UConn |
| Tyler Tanner | Vanderbilt |
| Chance Mallory | Virginia |
| Miles Sadler | West Virginia |
The native of Wilmington, Del. had 19 points, four assists and two steals in 29 minutes of action in BYU’s 89-77 victory over UNLV in an exhibition on Saturday afternoon in Las Vegas. After trailing by as much as 12 in the first half, Wright III went 3-of-5 from the field in the second half, including knocking down both his attempts from behind the arc as the Cougars outscored the Runnin’ Rebels 48-35 over the final 20 minutes.
In the Cougars' 72-61 exhibition victory over Nebraska on Oct. 16, Wright III scored 10 of his 17 points in the second half as BYU overcame a four-point halftime deficit to avenge last season's loss to the Cornhuskers in Lincoln. The junior also had seven assists and five rebounds.
During his sophomore season in Provo, Wright III ranked second on the team in scoring at 18.1 points per game while dishing out the 10th most assists in a single season in program history, 162. He scored in double figures in 32 of his 35 starts for the Cougars while shooting 46.7 percent from the field, 41.0 percent from the field and 82.1 percent from the free throw line.
He earned CSC Third Team Academic All-American honors for his work on-and-off the court, recording a pair of double-doubles highlighted by his 10-point, 11-assist performance in BYU’s 28-point victory over No. 23 Wisconsin at the Delta Center. The win over the Badgers is the third-largest margin of victory over a ranked opponent in program history.
About the Bob Cousy Award
The annual Bob Cousy Award, named after the Class of 1971 Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtics and Holy Cross guard, celebrates its 24th year by highlighting the top point guard in Division I men’s college basketball.
In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2027 Bob Cousy Award will be narrowed to 10, and then in late February, to just five. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Cousy and the Hall of Fame’s selection committees, where winners will be selected. The selection committees are composed of top men’s college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers.
The winner of the 2027 Bob Cousy Award will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the four other members of the Men’s Starting Five.