PHILADELPHIA (08/17/02) - Saint Joseph's University's Jameer Nelson has been named to the Wooden Award Preseason All-America Team. Nelson, a 6-0 junior guard, is one of 50 players named to the prestigious team, which annually selects a 10-man All-America team as well as the National Player of the Year. Nelson, the only player in Atlantic 10 Conference history to lead the league in assists in consecutive seasons, is the lone returning starter from last year's SJU team that posted a 19-12 record and advanced to the second round of the NIT. A first team all-conference selection as a sophomore, Nelson dished 188 assists last year, the second best total in SJU history. In 2000-01, he set the school record for assists with 213, also a conference mark for freshman. He was also named National Freshman of the Year by Sports Illustrated. The Hawks' leading returning scorer, Nelson averaged 14.4 points per game in 2001-02. He dealt 6.36 assist per game while his 4.8 rebounds per game and 51 three-pointers are also tops among SJU returnees. The Chester, PA (Chester HS) product has twice been named to the first team all-Big Five team and second team all-District squad. He is joined on the team by two other A-10 players, Xavier's David West and Romain Sato, as well as Big Five standout Ugonna Oneykwe.