UConn sophomore Jeremy Lamb (Norcross, Ga.) headlines a trio of UConn players named to the Naismith preseason watch list, as announced today by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. Lamb is joined by junior Alex Oriakhi (Lowell, Mass.) and freshman center Andre Drummond (Middletown, Conn.).

The Naismith award is presented annually to the national player of the year. Former UConn star Kemba Walker was a finalist in 2011 with Jimmer Fredette of BYU taking home the honor.

Kentucky and North Carolina led the way with four student-athletes each on the list.

Lamb was most recently named an Associate Press Preseason All-American after being named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team and the Wooden Preseason Top-50. Oriakhi joined Lamb on the Wooden Preseason Top-50 and also received votes in the Preseason All-America voting. He was a Preseason All-BIG EAST Second Team selection.

Drummond, the BIG EAST Preseason Rookie of the Year, was also a BIG EAST Honorable Mention selection. The freshman center was most recently named to the Wayman Tisdale Award preseason watch list which honors the nation’s top freshman at the end of the season.