Akwuba Named to Lou Henson Award Preseason Watch List

LAFAYETTE – Louisiana Basketball junior forward Theo Akwuba has been named to the 2021-22 Lou Henson Award Preseason Watch List as announced by the voting committee on Thursday.

The award, which is presented annually, seeks to honor the top mid-major player in Division I college basketball.

Akwuba is entering his second year in the program following a two-year stint at Portland. He averaged 11.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 2.6 blocks per game during his 2020-21 campaign. The 6'11 forward was named the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year at the conclusion of last season after leading the league and ranking eighth nationally with 68 blocked shots.

In addition to his defensive presence in the paint, the Montgomery, Ala. native was a force on the boards, finishing 10th nationally in offensive rebounds per game. In last year's season opener against eventual national champion Baylor, Akwuba recorded 22 points on a perfect 9-for-9 performance from the floor. Last month, he was named to the preseason All-Sun Belt First Team.

The junior was one of just two Sun Belt representatives to appear on the this years watch list.

Henson is the winningest coach in Illinois basketball history with 423 victories. During his 21 seasons (1975-1996), Henson led the Fighting Illini to 16 postseason appearances, including 12 NCAA tournaments and a Final Four appearance in 1989.

Henson, who is also the all-time winningest coach in New Mexico State history with 289 victories, is one of only 11 coaches to take two different schools to the NCAA Final Four. His teams have made 19 NCAA appearances and four NIT appearances.

In total, Henson amassed 775 wins during his 41 years on the sidelines with the two programs.

Players on teams from the following conferences are eligible for the award: America East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Colonial, Horizon, Ivy, Metro Atlantic, Mid-American, Mid-Eastern, Missouri Valley, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Southland, Southwestern, Summit, Sun Belt, West Coast.

Men's basketball season and single-game tickets for the 2021-22 season are on sale now, with season prices beginning as low as $100. For more information, fans can call the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at (337) 265-2170.

For the latest on Louisiana Men's Basketball, stay tuned to RaginCajuns.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (RaginCajunsMBB).

Akwuba Named to Lou Henson Award Preseason Watch List

Players Mentioned

Theo Akwuba

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