Virginia’s Thijs De Ridder has landed on another prominent preseason list, earning a spot on the 2027 National Association of Basketball Coaches Division I Player of the Year Preseason Watch List.
The NABC announced Thursday, Oct. 29, that De Ridder was among 20 players selected. Last season, he put together an All-ACC first-team campaign while leading Virginia in scoring at 15.6 points per game and rebounding at 6.2 per game.
De Ridder also picked up preseason ACC Player of the Year recognition for 2026-27, becoming the lone Cavalier to join Malcolm Brogdon in earning that honor. Brogdon was named co-Player of the Year before the 2015-16 season.
The NABC Division I Player of the Year is chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I head coaches after the regular season and will be revealed during the week of the 2027 Men’s Final Four. Former Duke standout Cameron Boozer won the award last season.
The award has been handed out every year since 1974-75 and remains the only national player of the year honor selected by the sport’s head coaches.
2027 NABC Division I Player of the Year - Preseason Watch List
Flory Bidunga, Louisville
John Blackwell, Duke
Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje, Duke
Elliot Cadeau, Michigan
Rueben Chinyelu, Florida
Alex Condon, Florida
Thijs De Ridder, Virginia
Silas Demary Jr., Connecticut
Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State
Juke Harris, Tennessee
Thomas Haugh, Florida
Motiejus Krivas, Arizona
David Mirkovic, Illinois
Milan Momcilovic, Kentucky
Braylon Mullins, Connecticut
Pryce Sandfort, Nebraska
Tyran Stokes, Kansas
Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt
JT Toppin, Texas Tech
Robert Wright III, BYU
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