Before either had a chance to don a Western uniform this season, Topper junior forward Courtney Lee and Lady Topper Crystal Kelly, also a junior forward, have received national recognition.

Both have already been named preseason first-team all-Sun Belt Conference selections, and Lee has been recognized as the preseason conference Player of the Year.

To add to the list of accomplishments, both Lee and Kelly have been put on watch lists for their respective national player of the year awards.

Lee was one of 50 players named to the John R. Wooden Award list as a preseason candidate for the organization’s All-America Team.

Kelly has been recognized as a preseason All-American by Street & Smith’s Sports Annuals.

She was named as one of the 25 preseason candidates for the 2006 Wade Trophy, which is presented to the Division I National Player of the Year.

This marks the first time in school history a player on either team has been nominated for the award.

Lee has said that it’s an honor to get the recognition, but his aim is to bring home a Sun Belt Conference Championship.

“We’re not focused on individual goals,” he said. “That’s not what we’re playing for.

“We’re just out here for the team, doing the things we need to do to get better.”

Kelly said it was an honor to be recognized.

“But its not really about me,” she said, “it’s more about the team. I’m not really into the individual accomplishments. I like being recognized but I’d rather get wins.”

Topper coach Darrin Horn said, even with Lee receiving all the preseason hype, this year’s team members think they’re all on the same page and working toward a common goal.

“Courtney is our greatest example of that just because he does get a lot of attention and deservedly so, he’s been a consistent producer over two years and a performer at a high level,” he said. “But he’s so much about winning, and winning only, that I don’t think he gets real caught up in it.”

Reach the reporters at sports@wkuherald.com.