The John R. Wooden Award is an annual accolade presented to the most outstanding male and female college basketball players in the United States. Named after the legendary coach John R. Wooden, who led the UCLA Bruins to numerous championships, the award recognizes excellence on the court as well as academic achievement and character. Established in 1976, the award is determined by a voting process that includes sportswriters, broadcasters, and former players. Recipients are celebrated for their skills, sportsmanship, and contributions to their teams, embodying the values that Wooden promoted throughout his coaching career.