UAlbany's Clark, Siena's Pickett nominated for men's basketball award

PHOTOGRAPHER: Erica Miller

Ahmad Clark, left, and Jalen Pickett.

Guards on both Capital Region Division I men’s basketball teams were named this week to the 2019-20 Lou Henson Award preseason watch list, an award that recognizes the nation’s top mid-major player.

Senior Ahmad Clark earned that honor from UAlbany, while Siena sophomore Jalen Pickett also became a nominee. In all, 50 players were named to the award’s initial watch list.

Clark was a third-team all-conference player last season in the America East. Clark averaged 15.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.0 steals per game last season.

Pickett was a first-team all-conference selection last season in the MAAC, as well as the league’s rookie of the year. In Siena’s season-opening 96-80 win against American, Pickett had 22 points, five rebounds and four assists.

UAlbany opens its season Saturday vs. Lehigh, while Siena next plays Friday at Xavier.