COLUMBIA, Mo. - The nation has taken notice. Jordan Clarkson can play a little bit.
The Missouri guard was named to the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 List the Los Angeles Athletic Club announced Wednesday. Chosen by the Wooden Award Advisory Board, the list is comprised of 25 players considered favorites for the sport's most prestigious individual honor based on their play so far this season.
Clarkson has been one of college basketball's most impactful newcomers this year and is averaging 18.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.3 steals in 18 games this season. The junior leads Missouri with nine 20-point games and has reached double figures in 18 consecutive games. The San Antonio native ranks fifth in the Southeastern Conference in scoring, 10th in field goal percentage (.472), seventh in assists and fifth in free throw percentage (.804).
Clarkson is one of three SEC representatives on the list, joining Florida's Casey Prather and Kentucky's Julius Randle. Clarkson is also one of four transfers on the list becoming eligible this season, joining Duke's Rodney Hood, Iowa State's DeAndre Kane and Oregon's Joseph Young.
Players can be added to the list as the season progresses and fellow Tiger junior Jabari Brown is making a strong case. Like Clarkson, Brown has also reached double figures in all 18 games and has topped 20 points in three straight outings. On the year, Brown ranks second in the SEC in scoring (19.3) after a career-high 28 points Tuesday night at LSU, eighth in field goal percentage (.498) and third from 3-point range (.451).
During his last six games, Brown is averaging 21.6 points on 56 percent shooting from the floor, 52 percent from 3-point range and 82 percent from the foul line.
Missouri (14-4, 2-3 SEC) is back in action Saturday against South Carolina (7-10, 0-4 SEC). Tip-off is set for 3 p.m.