Bittle Named to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Top 20 Preseason Watch List
10/31/25 | Men's Basketball
EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon senior Nate Bittle was one of 20 players named to the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award preseason watch list today.
Bittle finished last season as one of five finalists for the award after a stellar campaign. The 7-foot senior led Oregon with 14.2 points per game in 2024-25, along with 7.6 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.9 assists per game. He shot 51.1 percent from the field, 33.6 percent from three-point range and 81.1 percent from the free throw line.
The Central Point native was one of three players nationwide to total at least 490 points, 260 rebounds and 70 blocks last season. He was the only one of the three to make over 30 three pointers and his 74 blocks led the Big Ten.
Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting starting today, Friday, October 31, via hoophallawards.com. In early February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2026 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award will be narrowed to 10, and then in early March, to just five. Later in March, the five finalists will be presented to Abdul-Jabbar and the Hall of Fame's selection committee, where winners will be selected. The Selection Committee is composed of top men's and women's college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.
Bittle finished last season as one of five finalists for the award after a stellar campaign. The 7-foot senior led Oregon with 14.2 points per game in 2024-25, along with 7.6 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.9 assists per game. He shot 51.1 percent from the field, 33.6 percent from three-point range and 81.1 percent from the free throw line.
The Central Point native was one of three players nationwide to total at least 490 points, 260 rebounds and 70 blocks last season. He was the only one of the three to make over 30 three pointers and his 74 blocks led the Big Ten.
Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting starting today, Friday, October 31, via hoophallawards.com. In early February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2026 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award will be narrowed to 10, and then in early March, to just five. Later in March, the five finalists will be presented to Abdul-Jabbar and the Hall of Fame's selection committee, where winners will be selected. The Selection Committee is composed of top men's and women's college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award | |
| NAME | SCHOOL |
| Malique Ewin | Arkansas |
| Moustapha Thiam | Cincinnati |
| Owen Freeman | Creighton |
| Patrick Ngongba | Duke |
| Alex Condon | Florida |
| Chris Cenac | Houston |
| Tomislav Ivišic | Illinois |
| Flory Bidunga | Kansas |
| Jayden Quaintance | Kentucky |
| Ernest Udeh Jr. | Miami |
| Aday Mara | Michigan |
| Rienk Mast | Nebraska |
| Henri Versaar | North Carolina |
| Nate Bittle | Oregon |
| Oscar Cluff | Purdue |
| Robbie Avila | Saint Louis |
| Magoon Gwath | San Diego State |
| Zuby Ejiofor | St. John's |
| Felix Okpara | Tennessee |
| Tarris Reed, Jr. | UConn |
Players Mentioned
C
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