BOSTON, Ma. — Oakland junior point guard Jalen Moore has been named to the 2020-21 Lou Henson Award mid-season watch list. 

The Olney Central College transfer was one of 40 players across 21 eligible conferences named to the list. The award is presented annually to the nation's top mid-major player in Division I. 

Moore and Loudon Love (Wright State) were the lone players named to the watch list from the Horizon League. 

Moore leads the Golden Grizzlies in points per game (18.8), assists per game (8.2), steals per game (2.1), free throw attempts (139), free throws made (103), and minutes per game (36:60) through 19 games. The Cloverdale, Ind. native has started 18-straight games and finds himself atop Division I rankings in several individual categories such as assists per game, total assists (155), free throw makes, and total minutes (696:55). To add, Moore is second nationally in triple-doubles (1), third nationally in total points (357), and eighth nationally in total steals (39) and double-doubles (7). 

The newcomer has become a top-tier player in the Horizon League since joining OU, as he is averaging close to a double-double with 20.2 points (third in HL), 9.8 assists (first in HL), and 1.8 steals (fifth in HL) through 12 conference games. Moore's play has transcended to a new level in his last seven games, averaging 23.1 points, 11.3 assists, and 2.1 steals while shooting 46% (50-for-109) from the floor, 43% (17-for-40) from 3-point range, and 88% (45-for-51) at the charity stripe.

Moore recorded Oakland's first triple-double in nearly five years and averaged 20.5 points, 12.5 assists, and 6.5 rebounds in a series split against Detroit Mercy last weekend. Moore notched 18 points, 14 assists, 11 rebounds, and two steals to lead the Golden Grizzlies to a 86-81 win in the series opener. His impressive play continued in the Saturday rematch, as he went off for 23 points on 10-of-18 shooting and a game-high 11 assists.

The award honors Lou Henson, the former Illinois and New Mexico State coach who won 775 games in his 41 seasons. He is the winningest coach in Illinois basketball history (423 wins) and led the Fighting Illini to 16 postseason appearances, including 12 NCAA Tournaments and a Final Four appearance in 1989.
 
The Lou Henson National Player of the Year Award will be announced in April 2021.