SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Maryland men's basketball sophomore Jalen Smith has been named one of 30 candidates for the 2020 Citizen Naismith Trophy Men's Player of the Year watchlist as announced by the Basketball Hall of Fame.

The list will next be narrowed down to 10 on March 5, four on March 17 and the winner will be named on April 5, 2020.

Smith has pieced together an All-American season to this point, averaging 15.1 points and 10.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks.

The Baltimore native has been even better in Big Ten play, widely regarded as the toughest conference in the country. Through 13 Big Ten games, Smith is averaging 16.8 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks, while shooting 47-percent from 3 and 57-percent overall.

Smith has totaled 15 double-doubles in 24 games overall, a mark that ranks first in the Big Ten and fifth nationally. He is currently riding a streak of seven straight double-doubles.

Smith and the Terrapins return to action Saturday evening as they face Michigan State in East Lansing. Maryland currently sits in sole possession of first place in the Big Ten entering the weekend.

A full list of candidates can be found here

About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 400 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game's elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum and events, visit www.hoophall.com, follow @hoophall or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.

Basketball Hall of Fame Media Contact

Nicole Taylor, Position Sports // mediarelations@positionsports.com