The Wooden Award, recognizing the top men's college basketball player, will be presented for the 2026 season to one of five finalists: Cameron Boozer, Darius Acuff Jr., AJ Dybantsa, Yaxel Lendeborg, or Braden Smith. Looking back at the past decade, Zach Edey (Purdue) stands out as a historic two-time winner, achieving back-to-back victories in 2023 and 2024. His dominance in the paint, averaging 25 points per game in 2024, made him a formidable opponent. In 2025, Cooper Flagg from Duke also made headlines with a sensational season, culminating in his own Wooden Award win. Other notable winners include Oscar Tshiebwe (Kentucky) in 2022, who led all of Division I in rebounding, and Luka Garza (Iowa) in 2021, who impressed with his scoring and shooting efficiency. Each winner has left a significant mark on college basketball, showcasing talent and determination throughout their collegiate careers.