Xavier Thames named to the Naismith Trophy Watch list

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego, CA- San Diego State Aztecs Senior Point Guard guard Xavier Thames has been named one of the 30 NCAA Division I men’s basketball players nominated for the 2013-14 Naismith Trophy Watch list.

Thames is one of only two players from the state of California, the other being UCLA Forward Kyle Anderson and one of only two players from the Mountain West, the other being New Mexico’s senior PF Cameron Bairstow.
Thames was also named to the Oscar Robertson Trophy Watch List in January.

Thames a two-time national player of the week leads the San Diego State Aztecs in scoring (17.9), assists (2.7), steals (1.7), three-point field-goal percentage (.410), three-point field goals (43) and free-throw percentage (.833).

Thames is the 3rd Aztec ever to be nominated for the Naismith Trophy Watch list. Kawhi Leonard was nominated in 2011 and Jamaal Franklin last season.

Thames and the Aztecs return to the court as they look to rebound from their loss to Wyoming on Saturday when they host the Air Force Falcons. The game is set for 5:05 p.m. PT and will be televised on the CBS Sports Network.

Below are the rest of the nominees for the Naismith Trophy.