Edey of Purdue, Newton of UConn among 5 finalists for John R. Wooden Award as nation’s best

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Zach Edey of Purdue and Tristen Newton of UConn are among the five finalists for the John R. Wooden Award as the nation’s outstanding men’s college basketball player of the season.

Joining them are RJ Davis of North Carolina, Dalton Knecht of Tennessee and Jamal Shead of Houston.

Edey, who won the award last year, and Newton, will lead their teams at this weekend’s Final Four in Arizona.

Purdue center Zach Edey (15) attempts a basket during the second half of an Elite Eight college basketball game against Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Purdue center Zach Edey (15) attempts a basket during the second half of an Elite Eight college basketball game against Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

All five players have been invited to Los Angeles for the 48th annual dinner on April 12, three days after the winner is announced on ESPN’s “SportsCenter.”

Hunter Dickinson of Kansas, Kyle Filipowski of Duke, Tyler Kolek of Marquette, Jaedon LeDee of San Diego State and Caleb Love of Arizona were also named Tuesday to the Wooden All American team.

Voting took place from March 18-25.

Kentucky’s John Calipari will receive the Legends of Coaching award at the dinner.

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AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness