Trio of Oregon Ducks named to award watch lists ahead of 2021-22 season

We are counting down the days until both the men’s and women’s Oregon Ducks basketball teams tip off the 2021-22 season, and as we get prepared to hit the hardwood, it is time to take stock of where both teams are at and what we can expect going forward.

It was revealed earlier this week that both squads are ranked inside the Top-15 — the men at No. 13 and the women at No. 10 — making them one of just three teams in the nation to have both programs able to say that.

Now, we also know that there are three players on Dana Altman’s team who are being considered for season-long awards, having been named to preseason watch lits. Here’s who to take a look at going forward:

Will Richardson — Bob Cousy Award Watch List

Sam Owens/IndyStar via USA TODAY Sports

Richardson is one of 20 players to be named to the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award watch list. Richardson was also selected to the Pac-12 preseason all-conference team after having a strong close to the 2020 season, helping the Ducks advance a couple of rounds in the NCAA Tournament.

He enters his senior season with the Ducks having a chance to get into the school’s top-10 list in steals, assists, three-point field goal percentage, and wins.

In 2020, former Oregon Duck Payton Pritchard was the first player in school history to win the Bob Cousy Award, and now Richardson has a chance to add to the list.

Up Next: Quincy Guerrier (Karl Malone Award)

Quincy Guerrier — Karl Malone Award Watch List

(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

As the season gets closer, it’s becoming incredibly clear that Oregon’s transfer addition of Quincy Guerrier is going to pay huge dividends. Guerrier is one of 20 players to be named to the Karl Malone Power Forward Award watch list.

Guerrier was selected to the Pac-12 preseason all-conference second team, and his time at Syracuse should give Duck fans high hopes for what’s to come in Eugene. Last season, Guerrier started 28 games for the Orangemen, averaging 13.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. He helped Syracuse to a Sweet Sixteen appearance in the NCAA Tournament as well.

Up Next: De’Vion Harmon (Jerry West Award)

De’Vion Harmon — Jerry West Award Watch List

Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Another addition to the Oregon roster through the transfer portal, shooting guard De’Vion Harmon has been named to the Jerry West Award watch list, and is one of 20 players to make the list.

Harmon was also a second-team selection to the Pac-12 preseason all-conference team, and he played in 25 games for the Oklahoma Sooners last season, averaging 12.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.

A year ago, Oregon’s Chris Duarte was the first Ducks player to win the award on his way to being named the No. 13 overall pick in the NBA Draft. If Harmon can play to his ceiling this season, there is a good chance the award will stay in Eugene.

List

Predicting the remaining 6 games on Oregon Ducks 2021 schedule