TOLEDO, Ohio - Sophomore forward Javan Simmons has been named to the 2024-25 Lou Henson 'Early Season' Watch List, an annual award presented to the top player in mid-major college basketball. He was one of three Mid-American Conference players to be selected, joining Ohio's AJ Clayton and Ball State's Payton Sparks.

A Gahanna, Ohio native, Simmons was a unanimous selection for 2023-24 MAC Freshman of the Year and earned a spot 2024-25 Preseason All-MAC First Team. So far this season he is tied for second on the team with 14.0 ppg, second with 3.5 apg and a 52.5 FG%, and fourth with 5.0 rpg.

Simmons scored a season-high 19 points in the Rockets' season opener at Troy (Nov. 4) and tied his career best with six assists vs. Wright State (Nov. 13).

The Lou Henson award honors the former Illinois and New Mexico State head coach who won 775 games in 41 seasons.  Henson is the winningest coach in Illinois basketball history with 423 victories.  During his 21 seasons (1975-1996), Henson led the Fighting Illini to 16 postseason appearances, including 12 NCAA tournaments and a Final Four appearance in 1989. He passed away on July 25, 2020.
 
The recipient of the annual award is determined by a 10-member voting committee, which consists of current and former head coaches, as well as two senior staff members of collegeinsider.com.
 
The 2025 award will be announced in San Antonio, Texas, site of the men's Division I Basketball Championship.