Nolan Winter Named to Naismith Watchlist
The Wisconsin forward is among 50 players on the Naismith men's college player of the year watchlist.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Basketball
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame named Wisconsin forward Nolan Winter to its men's college player of the year watchlist, which includes 50 players. The announcement came hours before Wisconsin's regular-season opener against Denver.
Why it matters
The watchlist recognizes top college players ahead of the season and places Winter among the nation's most closely tracked candidates. For Wisconsin fans, it reflects the program's expectations after the departure of guard John Blackwell in the offseason.
Winter averaged a career-high 13.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game as a junior, making him Wisconsin's leading returning scorer and rebounder. He was also named to the preseason All-Big Ten team and selected as a 2027 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award watchlist candidate.
The players
Nolan Winter
Wisconsin men's basketball forward who averaged a career-high 13.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game as a junior and is the program's leading returning scorer and rebounder.
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
The Springfield, Massachusetts-based institution that honors basketball figures and administers the men's college player of the year award and its watchlist.
The details
Winter, a forward, was added to the list ahead of Wisconsin's home opener versus Denver at 6:30 p.m. The only Wisconsin player to win the award is Frank Kaminsky III in 2015.
Timeline
October 2026: Winter selected as a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award watchlist candidate.
November 2, 2026: Naismith watchlist announced before Wisconsin's regular-season opener.
November 2, 2026, 6:30 p.m.: Wisconsin plays Denver in its season opener.
Season Trajectory
Wisconsin's last player to win the Naismith award was Frank Kaminsky III in 2015, a benchmark that Winter's watchlist selection now places him in proximity to. The watchlist arrives as Wisconsin loses guard John Blackwell to Duke through the transfer portal.
Winter's watchlist status and 13.1-point scoring average make him a key name for fantasy rosters and Big Ten coverage this season. Fans tracking the Naismith award can follow his production in Wisconsin's early-season games.
The takeaway
Winter's watchlist selection signals that Wisconsin's returning production is drawing national attention despite the departure of John Blackwell. His early-season performance will show whether he can extend the program's recent presence at the top of college basketball.
What happens next
Wisconsin's regular-season opener against Denver is scheduled for November 2, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
Further reading
Follow more coverage in Basketball for updates on Wisconsin's season and national award races.
