Baylor MBB's Austin Named Tisdale Award Contender

Baylor men’s basketball freshman center Isaiah Austin has been named one of 12 contenders on the 2013 Integris Wayman Tisdale Award Midseason Watch List. The United States Basketball Writers Association presents the Tisdale Award to the nation’s freshman of the year.

Austin, an Arlington, Texas, native, is averaging 14.8 points and 9.4 rebounds over his first 18 collegiate games. Currently, he had eight double-doubles, tied for the Big 12 lead. He is also tied for third nationally among freshman in this category. Austin ranks second in the Big 12 in rebounding, sixth in scoring, seventh in blocks and 10th in field goal percentage.

In league play, Austin is averaging 15 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. Kansas’ Ben McLemore and Oklahoma State’s Marcus Smart join Austin to give the conference three players among the 12 Tisdale Award contenders.

Previous winners of the Tisdale include NBA stars Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd and Chris Webber. The 2013 Tisdale Award will be presented at the Devon Energy College Basketball Awards on April 15 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.