Tamin Lipsey Named to Naismith Preseason Watch List

Iowa State point guard Tamin Lipsey has been named to the preseason watch list for the Naismith Player of the Year award, which honors the top player in men’s college basketball. The recognition places him among 50 players viewed as leading contenders entering the 2026-27 season.

Lipsey is eligible to play a fifth collegiate season for now, following his involvement in a lawsuit in Indiana. His eligibility for the full season has not been settled, leaving uncertainty over how long Iowa State can count on him. He has started every game of his college career and was voted the nation’s best point-of-attack defender last season.

The Cyclones open their season against Memphis at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, where Iowa State has never lost. The team is returning to the venue for a second straight year after beating Mississippi State there last season. Lipsey is expected to be joined in the backcourt by Bradley transfer Jaquan Johnson, who was the Missouri Valley Conference’s top defensive player last season. Killyan Toure is set to take a starting role when he returns from a shoulder injury.

Lipsey also made the All-Big 12 preseason team, but was not named to the Bob Cousy Award preseason watch list for the country’s top point guard. His defense and overall impact are central to his standing, though the award race includes strong competition and voters often rely on box-score production.