The U.S. Basketball Writers Association named LSU’s Ben Simmons its Integris Wayman Tisdale Award winner in a press release Wednesday. The award is given to the USBWA’s freshman of the year.
Simmons was also named to the association’s Freshman All-America Team along with Jaylen Brown (Calfornia), Henry Ellenson (Marquette), Brandon Ingram (Duke) and Jamal Murray (Kentucky).
MORE: Simmons wins SN Freshman of the Year | SN All-Americans
Simmons led all Division I freshmen in rebounding this season (11.8 per game) and was third in scoring (19.8 per game). He had 22 double-doubles.
Many consider Simmons to be the likely No. 1 pick of this year’s NBA Draft. His college career came to an end after LSU lost to Texas A&M in the SEC Tournament Saturday. The Tigers opted to not participate in a postseason tournament.