Yoeli Childs; Sam Merrill, Named To Naismith Trophy Watch List

Yoeli Childs; Sam Merrill, Named To Naismith Trophy Watch List

ATLANTA-Monday, BYU men’s basketball senior forward Yoeli Childs and Utah State senior guard Sam Merrill were named among 50 college basketball stars nationwide as members of the Naismith Trophy Watch List, per a release from the Atlanta Tipoff Club.

This award annually recognizes outstanding basketball achievements and is considered more prestigious than any award in high school and college basketball.

Childs is a returning first-team member of the All-West Coast Conference first team, netting 21.2 points and 9.7 rebounds per game last season for the Cougars.

Merrill is the reigning Mountain West Conference player of the year and Mountain West Conference Tournament MVP.

The former Bountiful High School star also netted 20.9 points and 4.2 assists per game last season for the Aggies.

Childs and Merrill are the only Beehive State school representatives on the watch list.

Previous Naismith Trophy award winners include BYU guard Jimmer Fredette in 2011 and Utah center Andrew Bogut in 2005.