NEW YORK - Colben Landrew from UConn and Tounde Yessoufou from St. John's were selected to the preseason watchlist for the 2027 Jerry West Award - presented annually to the top small forward in NCAA Division I men’s college basketball. 

Landrew was announced as the 2026-27 preseason BIG EAST Freshman of the Year in conjunction with the league's annual Media Day on Oct. 1.  A consensus five-star rated recruit out of Wheeler H.S. in Georgia, Landrew was named the 2025-26 Gatorade Georgia Boys Basketball Player of the Year and Mr. Georgia Basketball by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. This past June, the 6-6 forward shined with Team USA at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup, averaging 11.3 points, 4.6 boards, 1.4 assists, and 1.4 steals in five games.

Yessoufou was a unanimous selection to the 2026-27 preseason All-BIG EAST first team.  A five-star ranked transfer from Baylor who averaged 17.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 2.0 steals per game last season, Yessoufou earned 2025-26 All-Big 12 honors.  During his first year of college basketball, the 6-5 guard set new Baylor freshman records in points (605) and field goals made (226).

Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting in each of the three rounds starting on Friday, October 30. In February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2027 Jerry West Award will be narrowed to 10, then to five in March. In late March, the five finalists will be presented to Cousy and the Hall of Fame’s selection committees, where the winner will be selected. The selection committees for the Bob Cousy Award are composed of top college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers. 

The winners of the 2027 Jerry West Award will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the four other members of the Men’s Starting Five. Additional men's basketball awards being presented include the Bob Cousy Award (Point Guard), Julius Erving Award (Small Forward), Karl Malone Award (Power Forward), and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award (Center). 

The BIG EAST has been well-represented on both the Bob Cousy and Jerry West Award watchlists.  Silas Demary Jr. of UConn, Nigel James Jr. from Marquette, and Quinn Ellis from St. John's were selected as part of the 25-player watch list for the 2027 Bob Cousy Award, presented annually to the nation's top point guard.  

Braylon Mullins from UConn, Miles Byrd from Providence, and Tyler Perkins of Villanova were recognized as part of the preseason watchlist for the 2027 Jerry West Award - presented annually to the best shooting guard in men’s college basketball.