Baylor Basketball Trio Named to Naismith Trophy Player of the Year Watch List
WACO, Texas — VJ Edgecombe, Norchad Omier and Jeremy Roach represented Baylor men’s basketball on the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Player of the Year Watch List, announced Wednesday.
Baylor joins Kansas as the only other school in the country with three representatives on the 50-person list, accounting for six of the Big 12's eight honorees. Given to the player of the year in men's college basketball, the Naismith Trophy has been awarded since 1969 when UCLA forward Lou Alcindor captured the inaugural honor before changing his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabar.
Named to the Jerry West Award Watch list earlier this week, VJ Edgecombe enters the 2024-25 season as a projected lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The Preseason Big 12 Freshman of the Year is poised to make Baylor the first team in conference history to win the preseason and postseason freshman of the year in three consecutive seasons. Grabbing the eyes of the nation, Edgecombe averaged 16.5 points, 3.8 assists and 2.0 steals in four games in the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament.
One of the most significant transfers this offseason, Omier looks to continue his tear in green and gold this season. The Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team selection is coming off a couple of dominant seasons with the Miami Hurricanes, leading the 'Canes to the only Final Four in Program history in 2023. Last season, the Bluefields, Nicaragua, native averaged 17.0 points and 10.0 boards, earning a spot on the All-ACC second team. The first person from Nicaragua to receive a Division I basketball scholarship, Omier was also honored with the Skip Prosser Award for men's basketball last season, given to the top scholar-athlete in ACC men's basketball.
Wednesday's watch list selection is just the latest preseason honor for fellow ACC transfer Jeremy Roach. Named to the Bob Cousy Award watch list earlier this week, the Duke transfer looks to continue the run of successful point guards under Scott Drew. Thirteen of Baylor’s last 14-point men under Drew have earned All-Big recognition, spanning 17 of the last 18 seasons. The Leesburg, Va., native brings meaningful experience to Baylor after four seasons with the Duke Blue Devils. During his time on Tobacco Road, Roach was a two-time team captain, helping the Blue Devils to the Final Four in 2022 and the ACC Tournament title in 2023.
2024-25 Season Awards
VJ Edgecombe
- Preseason Big 12 Freshman of the Year
- Jerry West Award Watch List
- Naismith Trophy Watch List
Norchad Omier
- Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team
- NABC Player of the Year Watch List
- Naismith Trophy Watch List
Jeremy Roach
- Big 12 co-Newcomer of the Year
- Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team
- Bob Cousy Award Watch List
- Naismith Trophy Watch List