Andrew McKeever Named to Abdul-Jabbar Award Watch List
The University of Iowa center earned recognition on the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame preseason list.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Basketball
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University of Iowa center Andrew McKeever has been named to the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Top 20 Preseason Watch List. The award honors the top center in NCAA Division I men's college basketball.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights McKeever's impact as he prepares to anchor the Hawkeyes' frontcourt following his transfer from Saint Mary's College.
McKeever recorded 302 rebounds in 33 games last season while averaging 8.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. He enters the new season maintaining a 50 percent shooting mark from the floor.
The players
Andrew McKeever
He is a center for the University of Iowa who previously played three seasons at Saint Mary's College.
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
This organization oversees the annual Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award and monitors top performers in collegiate basketball.
The details
McKeever is one of six players from the Big Ten Conference selected for this season's watch list. The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame committee announced the selections on Friday as teams prepare for regular season competition.
Timeline
The preseason watch list was announced on Friday, October 30, 2026.
The University of Iowa hosts Lipscomb at 7pm on November 3, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This preseason nomination signals McKeever's importance to the Hawkeyes as they navigate a competitive Big Ten schedule. His performance remains a critical variable for Iowa's frontcourt depth and overall playoff potential.
Hawkeye fans can track McKeever's production at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena starting with the November 3 opener. His ability to maintain his 9.2 rebounds-per-game average will be essential for Iowa's interior defense.
The takeaway
The watch list nomination reflects the transition of a veteran transfer into a central role for the University of Iowa program. Fans should monitor his interior efficiency during the season opener to see if his performance levels match his previous production.
Further reading
For more on the team's outlook, visit Iowa City Basketball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Mighty 1630 KCJJ.
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