Friday night ESPN2 aired the first ever College Basketball Awards presented by Wendy’s. Awarding the John Wooden Award, Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award, Legends of Coaching Award, Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award, and more to those most deserving of the specific award. With top college players in the building such as D’Angelo Russell, Delon Wright, Jerian Grant, Tyler Haws, Jahlil Okafor, and many other College Basketball Players hoping to hear their name called for an award.
John R. Wooden Award Player of the Year (Best Player of the Year)- The winner of the John R. Wooden award was presented to Frank Kaminsky who averaged 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.6 assist per game. Kaminsky is the first ever Wisconsin player to win the John R. Wooden Award. Kaminsky was a man among boys all year-long, battling down low in the trenches and also stepping out and knocking down threes. Also Kaminsky led his team to the NCAA Championship game but couldn’t get the job done against the Duke Blue devils who were awarded the NCAA Championship. Finalists were Willie Cauley Stein (Kentucky), Jerian Grant (Notre Dame), Jahlil Okafor (Duke), and D’Angelo Russell (Ohio State) .
John R. Wooden Award Legends of Coaching (Coach of the Year Award)- John R. Wooden Award Legend of Coaching was given to the famous Steve Fisher, best know for his Fab Five Team in the 1990’s. Fisher lead the San Diego Aztecs to a overall record of 27-9 this year but fell in the round of 32 of the NCAA Tournament to the Duke Blue Devils. Fisher is a defensive minded coach who favors slowing the game down and his Aztec squad is known as a blue-collar team that gets after it defensively on the court.
Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year (Best Point Guard of the Year)- Delon Wright of the Utah Utes won this award. Wright averaged 14.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.1 assist per game. Delon Wright was an All Around Player this season for the Utah Utes, leading the team to a overall record of 26-9. Wright carried his team to the sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament before falling to the Duke Blue Devils. Finalists were Tyus Jones (Duke), T.J McConnell (Arizona), Kevin Pangos (Gonzaga), and Fred VanVleet (Wichita State).
Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year (Awarded to the Best Shooting Guard)- The award winner was D’Angelo Russell (Ohio State) who averaged 19.3 Points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.0 assist. Russell is an all-round shooting guard, who can heat up in a second from downtown. D’Angelo always did something on the court to make him a hot topic on twitter every game day, whether it’s his exotic passes or one of his famous flops. Russell was the go to guy for the Ohio State Buckeyes this season, and he stood out on the court every game. Finalists were Ron Baker (Wichita State), Jerian Grant (Notre Dame), Tyler Haws (BYU) and Buddy Hield (Oklahoma).
Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award (Awarded to the Best Small Forward)- The winner is Stanley Johnson (Arizona) who averaged 13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assist per game. Johnson is a big do it all forward who is at his best attacking the rim and also has quick feet which makes him one of the best on-ball defenders in college basketball. Finalists were Justin Anderson (Virginia). Sam Dekker (Wisconsin), LaDontae Henton (Providence), and Justise Winslow (Duke).
Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award (Awarded to the Best Power Forward)- The winner was Montrezl Harrell who averaged 15.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assist per game. Harrell was a bully for most of the season down low on the block. Through out the season Harrell developed a mid range jumper while also bringing energy to his team, along with a physical presence. Finalists were Perry Ellis (Kansas), David Laury (Iona), Georges Niang (Iowa State), and Kyle Wiltjer (Gonzaga).
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year (Awarded to the Best Center)- The winner was Frank Kaminsky (Wisconsin). Kaminsky was the only player to win two awards, along with his Wooden award. He averaged 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.6 assist per game. Kaminsky was the best center this year edging out Duke’s Jahlil Okafor who was right behind him. ‘Frank the Tank’ is one of the best players in college basketball and brings the ability to stretch the defense away from the basket, which causes some teams to falter defensively. Finalists were Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky), Rakeem Christmas (Syracuse), Jahlil Okafor (Duke) and Bobby Portis (Arizona).
