UCLA Basketball: Thomas Welsh Named to the Abdul-Jabbar Award Watch List

Junior center Thomas Welsh has been named to the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award preseason watch list.

The UCLA Basketball team received another preseason award as Thomas Welsh is among 20 college basketball centers named to the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award watch list.

This is the fourth individual award UCLA has received heading into the 2016–17 season. Seniors Bryce Alford and Isaac Hamilton, as well as true freshman Lonzo Ball, have all been named to their own preseason lists.

Welsh will be the go-to big man down low this season. After two years, he is filling into his role nicely. Welsh has turned into an excellent scorer, and this season, if he improves on his low post presence and rebounding skills, he has the potential to be one of the top centers in the nation.

Last season, Welsh came into his own as a starting center. He had a solid baseline jumper which became very useful for the Bruins when working the ball down low.

Due to a fantastic recruiting class, Welsh will have help down low with power forward T.J. Leaf and center Ike Anigbogu. Not only will Welsh be able to head the attack in the front court, but when he is out of the game, the Bruins don’t have to worry about anyone not picking up the slack.

Next: UCLA Basketball: New Year, New Offense

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The Bruins are going to be better this year, but how good is yet to be seen. If Welsh can be the player he is projected to be, that he help UCLA move in the right direction.