AUBURN, Ala.—Auburn sophomore guard Tahaad Pettiford has been named to 2026 Bob Cousy Award Watch List, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced Monday.
The watch list includes 20 of the top point guards nationally and is named after Cousy, who is a Class of 1971 Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic and Holy Cross guard. The award is celebrating its 23rd year by highlighting the top point guard in Division I men’s college basketball.
A preseason first team All-SEC selection by a vote of selected SEC and national media, Pettiford averaged 11.6 points and 3.0 assists a game during his freshman campaign while helping the Tigers to an SEC Champion and their second Final Four appearance in the previous six tournaments.
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting in each of the three rounds starting on Friday, October 31. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2026 Bob Cousy Awards will be narrowed to 10, and then in late February, to just 5.
In March, the five finalists will be presented to Cousy, and the Hall of Fame’s selection committees, where winners will be selected. The Selection Committees for the Bob Cousy Award are composed of top men’s college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.
The winner of the 2026 Cousy Award will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the four other members of the Men’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Jerry West Award (Shooting Guard), Julius Erving Awards (Small Forward), Karl Malone Awards (Power Forward), and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Awards (Center).
Auburn will play against Memphis is the Bad Boy Lawn Mowers Series exhibition at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Thursday, Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets for the game are available for purchase here.
The Tigers will open regular season action on November 3 at 7 p.m. CT versus Bethune-Cookman at Neville Arena.