PROVO, Utah-Monday, BYU men’s basketball, ahead of the season opener against Villanova at T-Movilie Arena of Las Vegas, received two recipients on the Naismith National Player of the Year Award Watch List: freshman guard/forward AJ Dybantsa and senior guard Richie Saunders.

Freshman guard/forward AJ Dybantsa averaged 21.5 points and 12.7 rebounds per game last season at Utah Prep of Hurricane, Utah.

Last season, Saunders posted 16.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game for the Cougars.

BYU is one of 12 schools in Division I men’s basketball to receive two players on this preseason award watch list.