11/2/2026 10:19:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Houston senior forward is one of 50 student-athletes to be selected nationally
HOUSTON – University of Houston Men's Basketball senior forward Joseph Tugler was named to the Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Player of the Year Watch List on Monday.The three-year letterwinner was one of 50 student-athletes named to the Watch List.
This was the latest preseason honor for Tugler. The Monroe, La., native was named to the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Preseason Watch List and was a Preseason All-Big 12 First-Team selection in October.
ABOUT JOSEPH TUGLER
Tugler has established himself as one of the nation's premier defensive players and twice been recognized as a finalist for the Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year presented by MOLECULE.
In 2025-26, Tugler averaged 8.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, leading the Cougars with his blocks average and ranking second on the team in boards.
He led or tied for the team lead in blocks in 27 games and finished eighth in the Big 12 with his average.
For his impressive efforts, Tugler was named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention and earned a place on the Big 12 All-Tournament Team after scoring 20 points with 10 rebounds and three assists against #2/2 (1) Arizona during the Title Game.
He ranks among the Cougars' Top-10 career leaders in wins and needs to compete in only 10 more wins this season to become the eighth student-athlete to record triple-digit victories during his career.
JERSEY MIKE'S NAISMITH TROPHY PLAYER of the YEAR WATCH LIST
| Student-Athlete | Class | Position | School | Conference |
| Joseph Tugler | Senior | Forward | Houston | Big 12 |
| Amari Allen | Sophomore | Guard | Alabama | SEC |
| Flory Bidunga | Junior | Forward | Loiuisville | ACC |
| John Blackwell | Senior | Guard | Duke | ACC |
| Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje | Freshman | Center | Duke | ACC |
| Elliot Cadeau | Senior | Guard | Michigan | Big Ten |
| Rueben Chinyelu | Senior | Center | Florida | SEC |
| Alex Condon | Senior | Forward | Florida | SEC |
| Jason Crowe Jr. | Freshman | Guard | Missouri | SEC |
| Thijs De Ridder | Sophomore | Forward | Virginia | ACC |
| Silas Demary Jr. | Senior | Guard | UConn | Big East |
| Mason Falslev | Senior | Guard | Utah State | Pac-12 |
| Jeremy Fears Jr. | Junior | Guard | Michigan State | Big Ten |
| PJ Haggerty | Senior | Guard | Texas A&M | SEC |
| Juke Harris | Junior | Guard | Tennessee | SEC |
| Thomas Haugh | Senior | Forward | Florida | SEC |
| Shelton Henderson | Sophomore | Forward | Miami (Fla.) | ACC |
| Aden Holloway | Senior | Guard | Alabama | SEC |
| Caleb Holt | Freshman | Guard | Arizona | Big 12 |
| Josh Hubbard | Senior | Guard | Mississippi State | SEC |
| Braden Huff | Senior | Forward | Gonzaga | Pac-12 |
| Tomislav Ivišić | Senior | Center | Illinois | Big Ten |
| Nigel James Jr. | Sophomore | Guard | Marquette | Big East |
| Trey Kaufman-Renn | Senior | Forward | Kansas | Big 12 |
| Ivan Kharchenkov | Sophomore | Forward | Arizona | Big 12 |
| Motiejus Krivas | Senior | Center | Arizona | Big 12 |
| Acaden Lewis | Sophomore | Guard | Miami (Fla.) | ACC |
| Tamin Lipsey | Senior | Guard | Iowa State | Big 12 |
| Trey McKenney | Sophomore | Guard | Michigan | Big Ten |
| David Mirković | Sophomore | Forward | Illinois | Big Ten |
| John Mobley Jr. | Junior | Guard | Ohio State | Big Ten |
| Milan Momcilovic | Senior | Forward | Kentucky | SEC |
| Braylon Mullins | Sophomore | Guard | UConn | Big East |
| Paulius Murauskas | Senior | Forward | Arizona State | Big 12 |
| Patrick Ngongba II | Junior | Center | Duke | ACC |
| Tahaad Pettiford | Junior | Guard | Auburn | SEC |
| David Punch | Junior | Forward | Texas | SEC |
| Malik Reneau | Senior | Forward | Miami (Fla.) | ACC |
| Rodney Rice | Senior | Guard | USC | Big Ten |
| Pryce Sandfort | Senior | Forward | Nebraska | Big Ten |
| Jackson Shelstad | Senior | Guard | Louisville | ACC |
| Jordan Smith Jr. | Freshman | Guard | Arkansas | SEC |
| Andrej Stojaković | Senior | Guard | Illinois | Big Ten |
| Tyran Stokes | Freshman | Guard | Kansas | Big 12 |
| Tyler Tanner | Junior | Guard | Vanderbilt | SEC |
| JT Toppin | Senior | Forward | Texas Tech | Big 12 |
| Matas Vokietaitis | Junior | Center | Texas | Big 12 |
| Nolan Winter | Senior | Forward | Wisconsin | Big Ten |
| Robert Wright III | Junior | Guard | BYU | Big 12 |
| Tounde Yessoufou | Sophomore | Guard | St. John's | Big East |
UP NEXT
Tugler and the Cougars open their 2026-27 regular season when they play host to La Salle at 8 p.m., tonight, inside Fertitta Center.
It will be the first meeting against the Explorers since the 1975-76 season.
From there, Houston will face California at 7:30 p.m. (CST) Sunday during the Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic inside Tahoe Blue Event Center in Lake Tahoe, Nev. That game will air on CW.
All Houston Men's Basketball games can be heard on 950 AM KPRC, the Varsity Network app, Sirius XM and the SiriusXM Channel app.
BUY REGULAR-SEASON TICKETS
Regular-season single-game home tickets for all games inside Fertitta Center are on sale now, and fans are encouraged to purchase quickly while supplies last. Houston will play host to 16 regular-season home games inside Fertitta Center in 2026-27.
Fans interested in purchasing group tickets may complete this form to be contacted by a member of the Houston Athletics Tickets Sales staff.
Non-season ticket holders interested in purchasing season tickets are invited to place their names on the Season Ticket Wait List by clicking here.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Men's Basketball by providing NIL opportunities and by joining the 50-50 Club, which provides financial support directly to Houston Men's Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.
Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on X and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
– UHCougars.com –
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