Photo courtesy of Steve Martarano.
Cameron Oliver attempts to block a shot against the University of the Pacific on Saturday, Nov. 21in the Alex G. Spanos Center.

By Brandon Cruz

The accolades keep rolling in for Cameron Oliver as the Nevada forward was named preseason Player of the Year by Yahoo Sports on Oct. 11.

It should not come as a surprise to anyone who has tuned in to watch Nevada play that Oliver has received yet another award. According to the Nevada basketball website, Oliver had one of the “best freshman seasons in Nevada history.” Oliver proved this statement to be true with the numbers he put up during his rookie campaign. He averaged a shooting percentage of 50.8 from the field and 13.4 points a game. He also led Nevada in rebounds and blocks with 9.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocks on average. Oliver’s such an impressive talent he considered pulling a Kevin Durant and entering the NBA draft after his freshman season.

Along with being named the preseason player of the year in the Mountain West, Oliver was also named to the 2016-2017 preseason All-Mountain West conference team by College Sports Madness. He also won numerous accolades last season, such as being named Freshman of the Year by conference media, being named to the All-Mountain West Tournament Team and to the All-Mountain West third team.

The 6-foot-8 sophomore also stepped up to help the team when it needed him most last season. Oliver shined in the spotlight during the Pack’s six CBI contests, averaging 19 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.5 blocks a game. He also shot a remarkable percentage from the field at 58.1 percent. “Oliver blossomed into a 20-point, 10-rebound threat late last season and could be the Mountain West’s top big man of the year,” said Yahoo Sports writer Jeff Eisenberg.

“He’s the best interior player in the league and one of the most versatile,” wrote Chris Murray of the Reno Gazette-Journal.

Brandon Cruz can be reached at bcruz@ sagebrush.unr.edu and on Twitter @Brandon_Cruz23.