Missouri junior guard Kim English was named a preseason candidate for the John R. Wooden Player of the Year trophy. The Baltimore, Md., native led Mizzou in scoring last season averaging 14.0 points en route to all-Big 12 recognition.

The list features 50 of the top players in college basketbal. English’s selection marks the second consecutive year a Tiger has made the Wooden Preseason ledger. J.T. Tiller was a Top 50 nominee last year and helped the club to a 23-11 mark, which included a win in last year’s NCAA Tournament.

English averaged 6.5 points per game as a freshman, but doubled that average in 2010 while making 29 starts. English topped the 20 point plateau in scoring 10 times last year, including 20 points in the NCAA win against Clemson and 24 vs. Illinois in St. Louis.

Mizzou opens practice on Oct. 15 and begins preseason play in early November. The 2010-11 regular season will begin Nov. 18 with a 7 p.m. contest against Western Illinois in the opening rounds of the Cancun Challenge. Opening-round games will be played in Columbia.