ATLANTA, Ga. – Iowa State forward Royce White made the Naismith Men’s Basketball Player of the Year Award  mid-season 30 watch list, released today by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.

The Naismith Award is given annually to the nation’s top collegiate men’s basketball player.  The mid-season 30 list was compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors, which based its criteria on player performances from the 2011-12 college basketball season. The Naismith Trophy, presented by AT&T, will be awarded at the 2012 NCAA Men’s Final Four in New Orleans.

A native of Minneapolis, Minn., White has played a key role in Iowa State’s resurgence on the nation’s college basketball scene. The sophomore is the only player in the nation to lead his team in scoring (12.8), rebounding (9.2), assists (5.1), steals (1.2) and blocks (1.0).

White is currently the only player from a power-six conference to rank in the top-100 nationally in rebounding (42nd – 9.2) and assists (57th – 5.1). The point-forward is one of 12 players in the nation to record a triple-double this season (10 pts., 18 reb., 10 asst. vs. Texas A&M) and his eight double-doubles is second in the Big 12. He’s been named Big 12 Rookie of the Week three times this season.