WASHINGTON – Georgetown University's Jessie Govan (Queens Village, N.Y. / Wings Academy) was selected one of five finalists for the 2019 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award, as announced by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday. The award recognizes the top center in men's college basketball.

Govan leads the Hoyas with 17.9 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game while shooting 50.0 percent from the floor and 41.2 percent from downtown. He adds 1.4 assists and 1.2 blocks per game as well.

In the BIG EAST, Govan ranks sixth in scoring, fourth in rebounding, as well as sixth in blocks and 3-point shooting.

Govan has posted nine double-doubles on the season and recently eclipsed the 1,600 career point mark.

A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 21 student-athletes in October, which was narrowed to 10 candidates in February and now just five finalists. This month, the finalists will be presented to Mr. Abdul-Jabbar and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The winner of the 2019 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award will be determined by a combination of fan votes and input from the Basketball Hall of Fame's selection committee. Fans are encouraged to visit www.HoophallAwards.com to cast their votes March 8-29.

Previous winners of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award include Angel Delgado, Seton Hall (2018), Przemek Karnowski, Gonzaga (2017), Jakob Poeltl, Utah (2016) and Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin (2015).

For more information and the latest updates on the 2019 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, log onto www.hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophall and #KareemAward on Twitter and Instagram.

2019 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award Finalists
Jessie Govan, Georgetown
Bruno Fernando, Maryland
Charles Bassey, Western Kentucky
Nathan Knight, William & Mary
Ethan Happ, Wisconsin