Senior guard Nijal Pearson was added to the Preseason Lou Henson Award Watch List, Texas State announced on Friday.
The award, named after former long-time Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lou Henson, is presented annually to the top NCAA Division I mid-major player.
Pearson averaged 16.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game last season. He was named Lou Henson Mid-Major Player of the Week on Dec. 3, 2018 and was added to the Mid-Season Watch List. He was also named to the 2019 Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team last week.
The senior from Beaumont began the 2019-20 season on a strong note, sinking his first seven shots in a 103-45 win over Texas Lutheran on Tuesday inside Strahan Arena. Pearson finished with 19 points on 8-11 shooting, three assists and two rebounds.
Pearson and the Bobcats (1-0) will face Air Force (0-1) in Colorado Springs, Colorado on Saturday at 3 p.m.