Arkansas State forward Kobe Julien was one of 50 players on the Early-Season Watch List for the Lou Henson Award, presented annually to the top player in mid-major college basketball.
Julien, the preseason Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, is one of two players from the league on the list. He is averaging 14.8 points per game through four contests as well as 5.5 rebounds per outing. Julien has scored in double figures three times this season, including a season-best 20 to lead all players on Nov. 8 at No. 2 Alabama.
The Baton Rouge, La., native was a second-team All-Sun Belt performer a season ago at Louisiana, leading the conference in scoring (17.3). He is A-State’s first player to make the watch list for the award since Norchad Omier in 2021-22.
Julien was one of three Red Wolves on the preseason All-Sun Belt teams, earning a First-Team nod in addition to being named the league’s preseason Player of the Year.
ABOUT THE LOU HENSON AWARD
The Lou Henson Award honors the former Illinois and New Mexico State head coach who won 775 games in 41 seasons. 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.
NEXT UP
Arkansas State concludes its three-game home stand Friday, Nov. 22, hosting Lane College. Tip-off against the Dragons is slated for 7 p.m. inside First National Bank Arena
