SAN DIEGO – San Diego State senior forward Jaedon LeDee has earned inclusion on the Men's National Ballot for the 2024 John R. Wooden Award; it was announced on Saturday by the Los Angeles Athletic Club.
Selected by the Wooden Award National Advisory Board, the National Ballot consists of 15 student-athletes who are candidates for the Wooden Award All American Team and Wooden Award Trophy as the most outstanding college basketball player in the United States.
After Friday's games, LeDee was one of two players in the nation to average at least 20.5 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting at least 55.7 percent from the floor and the only player in the nation who is averaging at least 20.5 points and 8.2 rebounds while also having hit 14 3-pointers. In addition, he is the second Division I player over the last 10 seasons to score 20-plus points on at least 55.0 percent shooting in the first five games of a season, joining Obi Toppin in 2019-20 who did it enroute to the 2020 John R. Wooden Award.
LeDee closed the regular season leading 21st-ranked San Diego State in points (615) and points per game (20.5). His 615 points rank fifth for the program in a single-season and his 20.5 points per game rank No. 4 in the single-season list. In addition, he tops the squad in minutes as well as offensive, defensive and total rebounds. He is second in steals and blocks.
On a national level, 6-9, 240-pound forward, started the week ranked No. 6 in free throw attempts, No. 11 in free throws, No. 29 in points per game, No. 25 in points, No. 30 in field goals, No. 36 offensive rebounds and No. 35 double doubles.
LeDee put the nation on notice in the second week of the season, when in three games, concluding at the Continental Tire Main Event, he averaged 28.7 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.0 steals and added a block. In the three games, he shot 57.1 percent from the floor (28-of-39), including 50.0 percent from the bonus distance (2-of-4) and 84.8 percent from the line (28-of-33). In addition, he dished out seven assists, had six steals and a block.
For his efforts, he was named the Continental Tire Main Event Most Valuable Player, a tournament that featured the Aztecs handing Saint Mary's a 79-54 drubbing as well as an overtime win against Washington. Following his MVP performance, he was chosen as ESPN National Player of the Week as well as Lute Olson and NCAA March Madness Player of the Week and garnered his first Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week honor.
LeDee has scored in double figures in each of his 30 appearances this year and has totaled 11 double doubles, matching Jalen McDaniels (11 in 2018-19) with the most double-doubles by an Aztec since Jamaal Franklin had 13 in the 2012-13 season.
A two-time Mountain West Player of the Week, was named a finalist for the Karl Malone Award which honors the nation's top power forward and has been included on the Oscar Robertson Award and Lute Olson Award late season Watch Lists.
All balloted players have been certified by their university to meet or exceed the qualifications for the Wooden Award as set forth by Coach Wooden when the Award was established. The qualifications include candidates must exhibit strength of character, both on and off the court; candidates must be full-time students in an accredited NCAA college or university; candidates must be making progress toward graduation and have a cumulative 2.00 grade point average since enrolling in their school; candidates must contribute to team effort; candidates must excel in both offense and defense; and
candidates should be considered on their performance over the course of the entire season.
Voting will take place from March 18 to March 25, and voters take into consideration a player's entire season of play, as well as the opening rounds of the NCAA Tournament. The finalists for the 2024 Wooden Award will be announced on April 2.