Wooden Award to Be Presented Today

Junior forward Antawn Jamison of North Carolina, already named the national player of the year by several organizations, is the favorite to win the John R. Wooden Award when it is presented today at the Los Angeles Athletic Club.

Arizona guards Mike Bibby, a sophomore, and Miles Simon, a senior, and Kansas’ Raef LaFrentz, a senior center, and Paul Pierce, a junior forward, are the other finalists.

Jamison, who must decide by May 10 whether to declare for the NBA draft or return for his senior season, led the Tar Heels to the Final Four for the second consecutive year, but North Carolina lost to Utah in a national semifinal game.

Pierce, from Inglewood High, announced Thursday that he will forego his senior season and make himself available for the NBA draft, but Bibby has not announced his plans.

Tim Duncan of Wake Forest won the 1997 award.