Lowe's Senior CLASS Awards Criteria In addition to the core requirement that the candidate be a NCAA Division 1 senior, the finalists and eventual winner will be selected based on personal qualities that define a complete student athlete. These areas of excellence are defined under the categories of Classroom, Character, Community and Competition.
Classroom: academic achievements and successfully progressing in regards to earning a degree
Character: attributes that define the candidate's personal character, including leadership skills, work ethic and integrity
Community: involvement in community and charity activities, utilizing the candidate's status as a college athlete to make an impact in worthwhile causes
Competition: achievements within the athlete's respective sport and their role in the success of the team
Men's Basketball 2008-09
Athletes: A.J. Abrams Andrew Lovedale Andy Wicke Antonio Anderson Connor Atchley Curtis Jerrells Dane Brumagin Danny Morrissey Dionte Christmas Gary Wilkinson Greg Paulus Jack McClinton Jason Holsinger Jerel McNeal Jimmy Baron Jonathan Adams Josh Dotzler Leonard Mendez Lester Hudson Marcus Ginyard Marcus Landry Matt Lawrence Matt Szalachowski Paul Velander Robert Dozier Sam Hinnant Sam Young Taylor Rochestie Terrence Williams Tyler Hansbrough A.J. Abrams (University of Texas )
Classroom A.J. is on pace to earn his bachelor's degree in Youth & Community Studies in May 2009. He earned a spot on both the Spring 2007 and Spring 2008 Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll (minimum 3.0 GPA).
Character A.J. has been a consummate team player throughout his first three years in Austin. He has been a team leader since his sophomore season.
Head Coach Rick Barnes on A.J. "A.J. has quietly gone about having one of the great careers in the history of Texas Basketball. He has had an impact in all facets of this program, both on and off the court. From those outside our program, he has always played behind other players who have garnered more attention, whether it be Daniel Gibson, LaMarcus Aldridge, P.J. Tucker, Kevin Durant or D.J. Augustin. A.J.'s true character has been shown in the way that he has handled himself and never let any of that bother him. He has been an excellent team player and should be remembered here as one of the truly great individuals to come through the Texas program."
Community A.J. has been active in returning to his high school (Round Rock McNeil HS) throughout his time at UT to do speaking engagements and serve as a mentor to children in that community. He also has been a mainstay in media interviews, both locally and nationally throughout his career. He has been a UT representative at Big 12 Conference Media Day in each of the last three seasons.
Competition A preseason Wooden Award candidate, Abrams is the top returning scorer in the Big 12 Conference (16.5 ppg). He enters his senior year ranked No. 14 on UT's all-time career scoring list (1,389 points). Abrams is already the all-time career leader in 3-point field goals made (284 entering his senior year). He is on pace to break the school record for career games played (record is 134, Abrams has played in 109 entering this year). As a junior, Abrams earned spots on the USBWA All-District VII Team, the NABC All-District 9 Second Team and the All-Big 12 Second Team. Andrew Lovedale (Davidson College)
Classroom Is on track to graduate in May 2009 with his degree in Political Science.
Character Moved from Nigeria to England as a teenager to be closer to his oldest brother. Lovedale is the eighth of 10 children. Was spotted by Coach McKillop at a basketball academy in England where he was not only playing but also sweeping the gym to earn extra money and working with the children there.
Community The Benin City, Nigeria native spends time gathering clothes and shoes that he brings with him when he returns home in the summer. Lovedale's teammates have gotten involved in donating shoes and clothing and a local church has also began donating.
Competition Lovedale averaged 6.8 points and 5.4 rebounds a game in 21.6 minutes an outing during the 2007-08 season and shot 54.1 percent from the field. He played in all 36 contests and started 25 of the last 26. Davidson went 24-1 with him in the starting lineup. Averaged 10.3 points and 6.8 rebounds a game in the NCAA Tournament and scored in double figures in 10 games while reaching double figures in rebounding four times. Recorded his only double-double of the season with 13 points and 12 boards vs. Gonzaga in the NCAA Tournament first round and had 12 points and six rebounds against top-ranked North Carolina. Andy Wicke (Belmont University)
Classroom As a fifth-year senior, Wicke is a four-time Atlantic Sun Conference All-Academic team member and a Dean's List mainstay. Wicke is an honor student (3.75 GPA, 3.77 major GPA) in his chosen major of Environmental Studies. The Hendersonville, Tenn. native will become Belmont's first-ever Environmental Studies graduate in the program's seven-year history. As detailed in a recent feature by Kyle Whelliston for ESPN.com, Wicke, as part of his senior thesis project, spent the summer testing human impact on the local ecosystem by collecting data from a river along the Tennessee-Kentucky border. Wicke tested the water for ph levels, temperature and dissolved oxygen. Moreover, Wicke has completed his Dental Admissions Test work and plans to attend dental school following graduation from Belmont in May 2009.
Character A senior captain on the reigning three-time defending Atlantic Sun Conference Champion Bruins, Wicke has led by example from his first day on campus. Despite leading the Atlantic Sun Conference and ranking 16th nationally in three-point field goal percentage in 2006-07 (.440), Wicke willingly surrendered his starting role in 2007-08 to provide an offensive and defensive spark of the bench. Furthermore, Wicke has played through numerous injuries, notably multiple ligament sprains in his shooting thumb (one requiring surgery), a dislocated finger, multiple forehead stitches (vs. Georgetown in 2007 NCAA Tournament and at Kennesaw State in 2006), and is currently playing through turf toe.
Community Wicke has countless involvement in service and charitable endeavors. Since his arrival at Belmont, Wicke has been a part of three overseas mission trips - Ukraine, Venezuela, and Brazil - organized and led by Belmont Athletics Senior Woman Administrator Betty Wiseman. Wicke and his teammates use basketball as a vehicle to share their personal Christian faith with local school children, many of whom come from impoverished areas. Wicke has made lasting connections with the children and parents of these areas. Following graduation, Wicke plans to attend the Belmont mission trip to South Africa in summer 2009. Additionally, Wicke is an active member in the Belmont chapter of SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise). SIFE is a nonprofit organization that gives students the tolls to learn the free enterprise system in a real working environment. SIFE - which is on more than 800 campus nationwide - empowers students to utilize classroom knowledge to better their communities. Wicke has taken a lead in the Belmont SIFE outreach to '100 Kings' of Nashville - a middle Tennessee-based program which identifies African-American high school sophomores and juniors with exemplary leadership and academic abilities and invests time and effort into their educational development towards college. For instance, Wicke is currently mentoring and tutoring students in math on Saturday mornings in hopes of bolstering their ACT scores for college enterance exams. Wicke has also contributed to SIFE's efforts with Dismas House Nashville - a residential community where college students assist men transitioning from incarceration to life in society. Services included resume building and interviewing skills. Wicke has been an active volunteer at the Harris-Hillman Special Education School of Nashville, playing basketball with children of varied special needs. In particular, Wicke has assisted in the maintenance of the Harris-Hillman sensory garden - an area replete with wind chimes, vibrant flowers and outdoor toys - which give children with cerebral palsy added enjoyment. Wicke has also lent his time to a service learning project at Belmont whereby students spruced up an unutilized plot of land as part of the Metro Parks of Nashville and turned it into a highly-functioning garden. Areas residents, many of whom come from low-income families, are able to pick there own fruits and vegetables from the public garden.
Competition Wicke's impact on Belmont Basketball has been undeniable and far-reaching. Along with teammates Matthew Dotson and Henry Harris, Wicke is one of just six players in all of college basketball in 2008-09 with the opportunity to earn four consecutive automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament. In Wicke's first three seasons, Belmont has gone 68-30 with the program's first three NCAA Tournament appearances. The 6-2 guard sank the game-winning shot in last year's regular season finale against Gardner-Webb, securing Belmont's first-ever outright Atlantic Sun Conference regular season championship. Wicke also helped Belmont to a No. 11 ranking in the final 2007-08 Mid Major 25 poll. Aside from being one of the top three-point shooters at the mid-major level, Wicke typically earns the defensive assignment of the opposing team's top perimeter player. In his career-high scoring game of 31 points against Gardner-Webb in February of 2007, Wicke sank a Curb Event Center record 10 three-point field goals, on only 12 attempts. Wicke also starred in Belmont's near-upset of three-time National Champion Duke in the 2008 NCAA Tournament, scoring 14 points. With 849 career points entering the 2008-09 season, Wicke is 151 points away from becoming just the eighth player in Belmont's NCAA-era to score 1,000 or more points in a career. Antonio Anderson (University of Memphis)
Classroom Antonio is a solid student-athlete, and is a team leader in the classroom. He is on schedule to receive his bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in the spring of 2009.
Character Antonio is the leader of the team, and has been the squad's captain since his sophomore season. He leads by talk and example. Antonio encourages his teammates, and he also has their respect, so much so, that if he has to discipline his teammates for on-the-court mistakes, they listen and respond in a positive manner. He is a leader in practice as well, and has missed only a handful of practices in his career due to injuries. His work ethic is beyond reproach, and his teammates feed off him, and that in turn, raises the level of play in practices and games.
Community Antonio has been involved in the community. He has joined the Tiger squad on trips to visit children at St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis and also helped with youth basketball clinics at local community centers. He has also helped with wrapping Christmas gifts for families through the Streets Ministries outreach program in Memphis.
Competition Antonio has played a major role in the Tigers' success in his career. With Antonio's leadership, Memphis has compiled a 104-10 record the past three years. The 104 wins tied the NCAA Division I record for most wins in a three-year span. Memphis won an NCAA Division I record 38 games in 2007-08. The Tigers made deep runs in the NCAA Tournament all three of Antonio's years, advancing to the Elite Eight in 2006 and 2007 and the NCAA title game in 2008. Antonio also helped lead Memphis to three-straight Conference USA regular season and tournament titles. For his efforts, Antonio earned individual honors. He was named to the C-USA All-Defensive Team in 2006-07 and 2007-08 and was selected the C-USA Tournament MVP in 2008. Connor Atchley (University of Texas )
Classroom A fifth-year player (Connor redshirted as a true freshman), Atchley earned his bachelor's degree in corporate communications last May (2008) and is currently enrolled in classes in the Graduate School of Advertising. He is a three-time Academic All-Big 12 selection (one first-team honor, two second-team accolades).
Character Connor is a two-time recipient of the team's Jack Gray Award, given in recognition of outstanding character, citizenship, achievement and contributions reflective of The University of Texas basketball program.
Head Coach Rick Barnes on Connor "Connor stands for all the good things you want in a student-athlete. His actions on and off the court over the last five years make him the type of person any university would want to have as a representative of their school. Not only has he been a successful player on the court, he has achieved so much in the classroom. His commitment to education is evident by the fact that he earned his bachelor's degree last spring and is continuing his education by working on his master's degree this year. Although Connor was not a highly-recruited athlete coming out of high school, he has shown tremendous improvement each year. His great attitude and attention to detail have made him a special person to coach and to be around."
Community Connor is an active member in UT Basketball's community service activities. He regularly visits patients at the Dell Children's Hospital and has served as a mentor to local elementary school students in the Austin area.
Competition A preseason honors candidate, Atchley is coming off a solid junior season in which he was one of the most improved players in the nation. As a junior, he was named to the five-person Big 12 All-Defensive Team and the Big 12 All-Improved team. He led the Big 12 Conference in blocked shots (2.11 bpg). Atchley has played in 102 career games (42 starts) entering his senior year.
Curtis Jerrells (Baylor University)
Classroom Curtis Jerrells is a General Studies major in Health Human Performance & Recreation. He is expected to graduate in May 2009.
Character "Curtis Jerrells is one of those guys with a big heart. It is always team first and he truly cares about his teammates. The love he has demonstrated towards his teammates does not go unnoticed because the team would run through a wall for CJ since they know CJ would do the same for them. Curtis is a natural leader and teammates have always been drawn to him. He leads by example and has been one of the hardest workers we have had at Baylor University. Not many players could have come into a situation like we had at Baylor and within 3 years been able to make it a Top 25 Program in the nation. Curtis Jerrells has been able to do that and as we all know Actions speak louder than Words!" Head Coach Scott Drew
Community
Competition Baylor senior guard Curtis Jerrells (Austin, Texas) is among 50 student-athletes named as a preseason candidate for the 2008-09 John R. Wooden Award. Jerrells was named to the Preseason All-Big 12 team last month. The senior is also a projected All-Big 12 selection by both Lindy's and Athlon Sports. Jerrells has also been featured on the cover of both Athlon Sports and Sporting News. Last season, Jerrells earned Baylor's second first-team selection in Big 12 history and the first since Terry Black earned the honor following the 2000-01 season. He became the fifth player in BU history to lead the team in scoring three straight seasons and was named to the NABC All-District 9 first team. The Austin, Texas, native enters his senior season 12th all-time at Baylor in scoring with 1,185 points. His career 3.69 assists per game average ranks eighth in school history. The consensus 2008 first team All-Big 12 selection led Baylor in points (15.3), assists (3.78) and minutes (31.2). He was named to Yahoo.com's All-America fourth team in 2008. Dane Brumagin (University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC))
Classroom Dane has been the ideal student-athlete since he stepped foot on campus three years ago. He has twice been named to the Winter/Spring Academic all-Conference team and has twice been selected to the Commissioner's List of Academic Excellence. In 2007-08, Brumagin was awarded the UMKC Lee Hunt Award, which is presented annually to a student-athlete who demonstrates academic ability, moral character and leadership. Brumagin currently has a cumulative grade point average of 3.17 in business administration.
Character Dane has shown a great deal of character during his time as a UMKC student-athlete. In just his second season on campus, Brumagin was the recipient of the Dr. Henry A. Mitchell/People-to-People Award, which is given to a student-athlete that exemplifies qualities of friendship, enthusiasm, sportsmanship and humanitarianism. Brumagin has also been active in the UMKC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. This season, Dane has taken on a very pivotal leadership role, as he is the only senior and only returning upperclassman on the UMKC roster. He has taken the reigns in leading this team, not only in terms of what needs to be done on the playing court, but also in mentoring the eight newcomers in how they should conduct themselves as student-athletes and people. Dane has a very high set of morals, and I believe he would be the perfect person for this award.
Community Dane has been active in the community by taking part in the APC/UMKC Athletics Halloween Party/Trunk or Treat for the past three years. Additionally, Dane has been a part of the school's annual Harvester's drive to assist in helping to stock the food bank that feeds more than 60,000 people in the Kansas City community. Dane also participated in the annual AIDS Walk to raise AIDS awareness. This past summer, Dane had the opportunity to travel to Taiwan with the Athletes In Action basketball team. On the court, he helped lead the U.S.A. team to a runner-up finish at the Jones Cup tournament, but he also assisted in hosting basketball clinics for the country's local youth.
Competition On the hardwood, Dane has played a pivotal role for the Kangaroos during his three years on the sidelines. He is on pace to become just the ninth player in school history to surpass the 1,000-point plateau, and he ranks among the top-10 career in field goals, three-point field goals and free throw percentage. Last season, Dane was a second team all-Summit League selection after finishing with a 17.1 scoring average and a .451 three point field goal percentage, which ranked 14th nationally. Dane showed his prolific scoring potential during a two-game stretch during his junior season. He scored 40 points in just 29 minutes of court time at Oakland before following it up with a 35-point effort at IPFW two nights later. As a result, he earned national recognition as the Mid-Majority Baller of the Week. Heading into his senior season, Dane has scored in double figures in 38 career games. In 16 of those contests, the forward hit the 20-point mark. Danny Morrissey (Penn State University)
Classroom Danny graduated in May of 2008 with a degree in Finance and a grade-point average over 3.5. He is working on a second degree in Labor & Industrial Relations Management. He was named an ESPN the Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District II first team selection in 2008 and is a two-time Big Ten All-Academic team selection and Dean's List selection.
Character Named a team co-captain, Morrissey has been a strong team leader since playing in all 30 games as a true-freshmanm. He suffered a season ending knee injury prior to his sophomore season and worked tirelessly to rehab the injury and returned to full strength a year later to lead the Big Ten in conference games shooting 49.3 percent (35-71) from three...His overall season percentage of 44.1 percent (64-145) ranks tied for the fourth-best mark in Penn State history.
Community Morrissey places an emphasis on his community and has served it in various capacities. He is a two-year team representative for SAAB (student Athlete Advisory Board) and has participated in Roar for Reading (read to elementary kids), Special Olympics, State College Food Bank collection, Operation Warm (collecting coats for the needy through Salvation Army), the Penn State Dance Marathon Canning (collecting money), and THON Dodgeball Tournament to raise funds to fight pediatric cancer. In addition, he took time to speak to foster kids in Juniata, Pa. to encourage them to follow their dreams.
Competition Danny has been Penn State's leading three-pointer shooter in each of the three previous seasons he has played and enters his final campaign sixth all-time with 175 career threes, the second active leading three-point shooter in the Big Ten. He is on pace to end his career among the top three long range shooters in Penn State history. He led the Big Ten hitting 49.3 percent (32-71) from the arc in conference games in 2006-07 and looks to return to that form in 2008-09. A starter in 52 career games, Morrissey has played 91 in a Penn State uniform and owns a career three-point percentage of 38.9 percent. In 2006-07, he shot 44.1 percent (64-145) from three, and is still tied for the fourth-best season mark in Penn State history. With 755 career points, he stands within range of becoming the Nittany Lions' 29th career 1,000-point scorer. One of the Big Ten's top deep threats, he has 23 career games with three or more treys and has scored in double-digits 32 times. A strong spot-up shooter, he also brings defensive intensity and a high basketball IQ to the floor and is the team's top charge taker.
Dionte Christmas (Temple University)
Classroom Christmas is an inner-city student-athlete who has worked hard in the classroom. Dionte is on track to graduate this May from Temple University with a degree in African American Studies.
Character Dionte is a co-captain and leader of team, both on the court as well as off the court.
"Dionte has grown into a tremendous leader, both on and off the court, for our program over the past two seasons. He has made an impact on the development of our team, and has been instrumental in our success. As far as his character, he is involved in our Big Brothers/Big Sisters program and is one of the first players to step up, albeit speaking at a school on the value of an education, or helping with other community service outreach ventures." - Fran Dunphy, Temple Men's Basketball coach
Community Christmas has spoken to classes around the Philadelphia area on the importance of education and is involved with Big Brothers/Big Sisters Philadelphia chapter.
Competition The third player in history of A-10 to lead league in scoring in consecutive seasons, Christmas was tabbed the 2008 Atlantic 10 Tournament Most Outstanding Player. He is a two-time USBWA First Team All-District selection, a two-time all-conference, and all-Philadelphia Big 5 honoree. Dionte has received seven A-10 Player of Week citations, fourth most in league history, and has scored 600 or more points in each of last two seasons. In 2007-08, he set a school record with 104 three-point field goals and has had eight career 30-point games (36 games with 20 or more points). As a junior, Christmas tallied 670 points, ranking him 12th on TU single season list. He entered this season with 1,381 points and 212 three-pointers made. Gary Wilkinson (Utah State University)
Classroom Gary earned academic all-WAC honors in his first season at Utah State. He was also a two-time junior college academic All-American before transferring to Utah State.
Character Gary is as good of a person as he is a basketball player and strives to improve everyone's outlook. He has a very infectious personality.
Community Gary is involved with various Life Skills Programs at Utah State. He not only works with elementary kids, but is also very active within his church.
Competition Gary earned second-team all-WAC honors as a junior and was named the WAC Preseason Player of the Year this year. Greg Paulus (Duke University)
Classroom Paulus maintains an overall GPA of 3.36 in Political Science with a cerrtificate in Markets and Management Studies. He was named to the 2008 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America (3rd Team) and the 2008 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District (1st Team). Greg is a member of the 2008 ACC Honor Roll, and is a two-time All-ACC Academic Team member. He also received Dean's List with Distinction honors in 2007.
Character Paulus is a two-time captain. He was a co-captain as a sophomore during the 2006-07 season and is a senior tri-captain in 2008-09.
Community Paulus is involved in several community service activities. He volunteers at least twice a year at the Duke Children's Hospital, visiting with patients and is an active member in Duke's Read with the Blue Devils program where student-athletes visit local elementary schools, read books to children and encourage them to read more. Greg has served as a speaker in front of several hundred kids at Durham School Days, stressing the importance of having good character and representing oneself well. Additionally, he has helped with the Duke Children's Classic Fundraiser and volunteered at the Emily K Family Life Center, a Durham community center that focuses on academic supports for local children.
Competition Paulus has started 95 games in three seasons at Duke. He received third team All-ACC accolades as a junior and is a two-time Cousy Award candidate as the nation's top point guard. Member of the ACC All-Freshman team and ACC All-Tournament second team choice in 2005-06, Greg is one of 56 1,000-point scorers in school history, ranking 54th with 1,017 career points following his junior season. Paulus ranks 10th at Duke with 173 career made three-point field goals and is fourth all-time at Duke with a career .415 three-point field goal percentage. He led the team in assists in each of the past three seasons and ranks 11th in Duke history with 420 career assists, and 22nd in Duke history with 144 career steals. Jack McClinton (University of Miami (FL))
Classroom Jack McClinton is a sports administration major/business administration minor with a 3.16 cumulative grade point average. A two-time All-ACC Academic Men's Basketball Team honoree (2007, 2008), he was also the only All-ACC First Team pick in 2007-08 to also be named to the All-ACC Academic Men's Basketball Team. In Spring 2008, he was named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll (3.2 GPA or higher) and he has been a six-time UM Book Buster honoree (3.0 GPA or higher) - which accounts for every semester he has been enrolled at the University of Miami. In addition, he was named to the 2006 ACC Academic Honor Roll.
Character A team co-captain for the last two seasons, Jack McClinton is considered a true leader for the Miami men's basketball team and is respected by both coaches and fellow players throughout the ACC. A young man that places God and family first, he has used basketball this season to honor his late grandparents who he lost over the summer. He is comfortable being the "go to" guy for the squad both in games (has led many a second-half rally for this team) and in off-the-court activities (media, marketing events, etc...).The "last guy picked for the team" growing up, he has worked diligently for everything he has accomplished. The Baltimore native was not heavily recruited out of high school, so he chose to attend prep school. From there he signed with a mid-major program in Siena, and when his coach was fired he decided to make a change and transferred to Miami. Since arriving in Miami, he has become a fan favorite, record setter and earned the first All-ACC First Team honors in program history.
Community Along with his teammates, Jack McClinton regularly participates in community outreach activities including the "Join a Team, Not a Gang" program that includes speaking to youngsters in local schools to encourage them to participate in athletics and work hard in school. In addition, Jack enjoys playing basketball with kids and often goes to Boys and Girls Clubs in Key Biscayne - helping teach young kids the fundamentals of basketball and motivating the kids to succeed in school and athletics. Over the summer, he also worked several basketball camps around the country helping to instruct and motivate kids.
Competition A First Team All-ACC selection in 2007-08 - the first in Miami basketball history, Jack McClinton has also been named to the 2008-09 Preseason All-ACC Team and to the Wooden Preseason List and is a 2008-09 All-America and Bob Cousy Award candidate. Miami's leading scorer for the third-straight season, he ranks second in the ACC all-time in career free throw percentage and third in career three-point field goal percentage. For his career, he is currently averaging 17.1 points, 2.9 three-pointers, 2.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game, while shooting 90.3 percent from the line, 43.3 percent from long range and 41.8 percent from the field. In just his third season with the Hurricanes, he is currently tied for 19th among program scoring leaders (1,199 points) and he has already set or tied Miami records in three-point field goals made in a season (94 in 2008), career three-point field goal percentage (.433), free throw percentage in a game (1.000, 11-11 in 2008) and three-point field goal percentage in a game (1.000, 4-4, 2008). In 2008, he led the ACC with a .919 free throw percentage (third in the NCAA) and 2.9 three-point field goals per game, while ranking second in three-point field goal percentage (.427) and fourth with 17.7 points per game. He has scored in double figures in 61 of 70 career games for UM (including 31 of his last 33), in addition to recording 23 games of 20-plus points. His career-high 38 points in Miami's 2008 NCAA Tournament win over St. Mary's ranked as the second-highest individual offensive output of the entire tournament. He was also an All-ACC Third Team pick in his first season at Miami in 2006-07 after leading the league in three-point field goal percentage and free throw percentage. Jason Holsinger (University of Evansville)
Classroom Jason currently maintains a 3.88 GPA in Economics. He is a three-time winner of the MVC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award for maintaining a 3.5 GPA for two consecutive semesters. Holsinger was named to the MVC Men's Basketball Scholar-Athlete Team first-team selection two years in a row and was a finalist for 2007-08 CoSIDA Academic All-America Team.
Character One of the best people I've been around in 26 years as SID here...he's a great ambassador for the basketball team and the school...team captain who has taken the younger players under his wing...Jason broke his hand last February, and missed just three games before returning to play in the last four games despite a great deal of pain.
Coach Simmons on Jason: "Having Jason out there is like having a coach on the court. He knows the game so well that he anticipates a lot of things. He's such a great example for our younger players because of his leadership, and his work ethic both in basketball and in his class work. He's one of the most focused players I've ever been around, and yet he's not stuffy in any way. He's just one of the guys. He's a talented player and a great teammate."
Community Jason is a member of UE student-athlete advisory committee and the Just Read program. Out of all the athletes at Evansville, Holsinger probably does the most school visits.
Competition Holsinger ranks number one among active players in career scoring in the Missouri Valley Conference with 1,069 points. He goes into his senior year ranked third in UE history in 3-point field goals (220) and fourth in both assists (399) and free throw percentage (.854). Jason is averaging 12.1 points, 4.9 assists for his career and has served as a starting guard in all 88 games in which he has played. His career single-game highs include 29 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. Jerel McNeal (Marquette University)
Classroom Jerel is on track to graduate this Spring.
Character
Community Jerel participates in multiple community service activities, including Al's Run/Walk for Children's Hospital and Special Olympics. In addition, he serves as a summer Basketball Camp Counselor.
Competition McNeal was tabbed 2008-09 Preseason First Team All-BIG EAST and is a Preseason Wooden Award Candidate. During the 2007-08 season, Jerel was named Second Team All-BIG EAST after receiving the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year nod in 2006-07. Jimmy Baron (University of Rhode Island)
Classroom Jimmy was named to the 2007-08 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District I team and is a two-time Atlantic 10 All-Academic selection. He has compiled better than a 3.40 grade point average through his first six semesters at Rhode Island, including a perfect 4.0 during the Spring 2008 semester. Baron has also been named to the Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll in each of his first three years and is a four-time URI Dean's List member.
Character For the past two years, Jimmy Baron has been a member of URI's peer advocacy program - a team of specially trained students who create and perform interactive workshops and programs to educate and increase awareness regarding: partner violence; stalking; alcohol; sexual abuse; sexual harassment; and drugs and related issues, as well as to provide advocacy services to victims of these crimes on campus. Additionally, over the last two years, he has joined Rhode Island state Attorney General Patrick Lynch to speak to South Kingstown H.S. regarding the state's "silent witness program." Baron as also served as a team leader with Rhody's Life Skills program for incoming newcomer student-athletes.
Community For the past eight years, Jimmy and his father - URI head coach Jim Baron - have run a clinic for Special Olympics at each NCAA Final Four. Jimmy is also a regular speaker at local elementary and middle schools, on topics ranging from academics, athletics, and saying no to drugs. During the 2007-08 academic year, Jimmy served as secretary of URI's Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), which co-sponsored the first-ever breast cancer awareness event - the "Pink Out" - in conjunction with a men's basketball game. Baron has also participated in "Rhody Reading Week," a program in which URI student-athletes travel to local elementary schools to read to students. In addition, he volunteered at the Katie DeCubellis Memorial Foundation road race, which benefits a local charitable foundation aimed at preventing drinking and driving. On Jan. 8, Jimmy visited Monsignor Clarke Elementary School in Wakefield, R.I. for the second time in as many years. Baron spoke to the student body - ranging from 1st-8th grade - about the importance of listening to parents, teachers, and coaches. The senior guard also held a 20 minute Q&A session with the students before putting on a shooting clinic.
Competition Jimmy entered the 2008-09 season ranked fourth among all active players with 243 3-point field goals. He has compiled 1,173 points through his first three seasons of play at Rhode Island and was named to the 2007-08 NABC All-District 1 team. Baron was also a 2006-07 All-Atlantic 10 honorable mention selection. Jonathan Adams (Old Dominion University)
Classroom Jonathan is a two-time CAA All-Academic selection. He was the 2007 CAA Scholar Athlete of the Year for men's basketball. He carries a 3.30 grade point average. Also a member of the CAA honor roll each of the last two years.
Character Adams is an outstanding young man. He is the team captain and is looked upon as a leader by his teammates. Represented ODU on the NCAA Leadership council.
Community A tireless worker with ODU's Community Reachout program. From helping put up fences,to participating in the Monarch reading program to local elementary students and mentoring. He is ODU's nominee for the Colonial Athletic Association's prestigious Dean Ehlers Leadership award.
Competition Adams has stared 23 games at ODU. He has played in 100. Career average of 4.0 points and 3.3 rebs per game. He averaged 6.0 points and 4.1 rebs last year. Hauled down ten rebounds vs. Drexel and scored a career high 16 points against UNC Wilmington. In high school he was a two-time runner-up for Mr. Basketball in Tennessee. Josh Dotzler (Creighton)
Classroom Josh was named to Creighton Dean's List in 2007-08 and to the MVC Academic Honor Roll in 2007-08. He owns 2.931 cumulative GPA in Public Relations.
Character Team captain at Creighton, Josh was Creighton's earliest verbal commitment (early sophomore year of HS) and maintained his word despite interest from BCS powers such as Michigan State and Wake Forest. On preseason media guide questionnaire, listed his career ambition as "To serve God."
Community Dotzler is the team's only married player. His father is a pastor and he has 13 brothers and sisters.
Competition Josh has started 61 of 82 career games, including the last 34. Among active MVC returners, he ranks second in steals (126), third in assists (267), fourth in games started (61), sixth in minutes played (1,953) and eighth in free-throw percentage (.759). A pass-first point guard who excels on defense, Dotzler needs two steals to move into top-10 in CU history in that category. He led team in assists as both a freshman and junior and owns 267 career assists and just 165 career turnovers. Leonard Mendez (Georgia State University)
Classroom Enrolled in Georgia State's highly-competitive Robinson College of Business, Leonard is pursuing a degree in Finance. He is on schedule to graduate Spring 2009 with a 2.6 GPA.
Character Mendez is a nominee for the Colonial Athletic Association's Dean Ehlers Leadership Award and was named team captain for the 08-09 season.
Community Leonard serves on Georgia State's SAAC. He has also played with the SCORE all-star team on a trip to the Dominican Republic in 2006 where he visited orphanages, delivered groceries, etc. during the day and played basketball in the evenings. Mendez's other volunteer activities include: MS-Atlanta bike-a-thon, American Heart Association Heart Walk, Big Brothers-Big Sisters picnic, CAA Blood Challenge, and the Parkside Elementary School Halloween party.
Competition Leonard was a preseason first-team all-conference (CAA) selection after earning third-team honors as a junior, when he ranked fifth in the league in scoring at 16.0 ppg. He is Georgia State's first All-CAA selection and ranks 15th on school's career scoring list. In addition, Mendez ranks sixth in school history in career three-pointers (133), while his career three-point percentage (.428) ranks second. Leonard has hit three buzzer-beating shots in his career, including a 33-foot three-pointer in the 2007 CAA Tournament. Lester Hudson (The University of Tennessee at Martin)
Classroom Lester is on track to graduate on time, and has maintained a GPA in the range of 2.5 while at UT Martin. As stated later, that number is even more amazing considering the path that he took to UT Martin.
Character Lester has overcome great adversity to become the man that he is today. In high school in inner-city Memphis, Lester showed potential on the court but didn't regularly attend classes. It got bad enough that he became academically ineligible for his senior season of high school, so much so that he dropped out of school. His high school coach was afraid of what Lester might become with basketball not consuming his free time, so he arranged for Lester to get his GED and enroll at a local junior college with the promise that if he made the grades, he could play on the basketball team. Lester made the grades and played two seasons, but came up a couple of classes short to get into UT Martin. With the promise that he could live his dream to play Division I college basketball, Lester paid his own way to UT Martin for one year until he became cleared by the NCAA to play. With so many people giving him second chances and putting their reputations on the line to see him succeed, Lester hasn't disappointed and now is one of the premier players in the NCAA.
Lester showed his commitment to staying in school this summer. Tempted by a guaranteed contract and a spot in the NBA Draft, Lester decided to return to UT Martin for his senior season to finish up his degree and to hopefully lead UT Martin to their first-ever OVC Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance, which many national publications are predicting.
Community Lester works with the Boys and Girls Club in his hometown of Memphis, and quickly has been a fan favorite of kids and adults alike in Martin. Lester has taken the time to go out of his way to invite children to come to the home basketball games, visiting local schools and charming the kids with his outgoing personality. At the 2008-2009 season opener against Maryville University on Friday, Nov. 14, Lester scored 27 points, had eight steals, seven assists, and seven rebounds in 27 minutes in a 121-56 win. More importantly though, the game was a "Character Counts" game, as over 2,500 local school children who had excelled in the classroom were invited to watch the game. After the game was over, Lester and the rest of his Skyhawk teammates personally took the time to shake each and every one of the children's hands as they left the arena to board the bus back to school.
Competition This season, Lester was named the 2008-2009 OVC Preseason Player of the Year, 2008-2009 Preseason All-OVC First Team, and Athlon Sports Magazine's 2008-2009 Preseason OVC Player of the Year. Lester was named Athlon Sports Magazine's 2008-2009 Preseason All-OVC First Team, and Athlon Sports Magazine's 2008-2009 Fantasy NCAA Second Overall Player. Lester was also recognized as Athlon Sports Magazine's 2008-2009 Fantasy NCAA Top Shooting Guard, Lindy's Magazine 2008-2009 Preseason OVC Player of the Year, Lindy's Magazine 2008-2009 Preseason OVC First Team, Lindy's Magazine "Most Versatile" Player in the OVC, Lindy's Magazine "Best NBA Prospect" in the OVC, Blue Ribbon Magazine 2008-2009 Preseason OVC Player of the Year, Blue Ribbon Magazine 2008-2009 Preseason All-OVC First Team, and the Blue Ribbon Magazine 2008-2009 "Top OVC Backcourt" along with teammate Marquis Weddle. In his first year at UT Martin, Lester led the Skyhawks to their first-ever winning season as a Division I program. Individually, he was named the 2007-2008 OVC Player of the Year, the first UTM player to win the award. He was also named the 2007-2008 OVC Male Athlete of the Year. He was a member of the 2007-2008 All-OVC First Team, and a 2007-2008 All-OVC Newcomer. He was named a CollegeInsider.com All-American, an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American, and a CollegeHoops.net Second Team All-American, becoming the first UT Martin player to garner NCAA Division-I All-American status. Lester ranked in the NCAA Top Ten in points per game (25.7; 4th), steals (2.8; 4th), and 3-pointers made per game (3.8;10th). Lester became the first Division-I men's basketball player to ever record a quadruple-double in a game (25 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, 10 steals in a 116-74 win over Central Baptist on Nov. 13), and he recorded a triple-double against Southeast Missouri in a 98-85 win on Feb. 16 (26 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists). Lester shot a combined 25-for-51 (.490), 14-for-24 (.583) from 3-point range, for 69 points (34.5 per game), 21 rebounds (10.5 per game), seven assists (3.5 per game), and three steals (1.5 per game) in games against nationally-ranked Memphis and Vanderbilt. Lester collected eight double-doubles and scored double-figures in all but one game, cracking the 30-point plateau 12 times, including a career-high of 38. Lester's 124 3-point field goals made and 320 3-point field goals attempted set new OVC records. Lester Made a 3-pointer in all but two games and ranked in the Top Three in four OVC single season categories. Lester led the OVC in four statistical categories (scoring, steals, 3-point field goals made, minutes per game), and was in the OVC Top Ten in eight statistical categories. Lester scored the most single season points in UT Martin history (847), 183 more than the previous holder and is just 126 points shy from becoming UTM's 11th member of the 1,000 point club. Lester also earned OVC weekly honors nine times (Four Player of the Week, Five Newcomer of the Week). Marcus Ginyard (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
Classroom Marcus is on track to graduate in the spring.
Character Marcus is the president of UNC's Student-Athlete Advisory Council, which is comprised of one rep from each sport. Coach Williams says Marcus could be president some day.
Community Marcus is an enthusiastic participant in the basketball team's outreach programs, including the clinic for Special Olympians and the holiday shopping trip for needy families.
Competition Marcus has played in 107 games as a Tar Heel, starting the last two seasons in which UNC won the ACC regular-season and Tournament championships. He was named to the ACC's All-Defensive Team in 2008 and was an ACC All-Tournament Team selection in 2008. He helped lead UNC to a 36-3 record and a berth in the NCAA Final Four. He has scored 616 points in his first three seasons. Marcus Landry (Wisconsin)
Classroom After struggling with academics as a freshman, Landry rededicated himself to achieving in the classroom. Over the last two years he has shown academic improvement every semester, raising his grade point average nearly 1.5 points. This fall he was honored by the National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS) with the Academic Momentum Award for his abilities to succeed in both academics and athletics.
Character Marcus Landry knows the meaning of responsibility and leadership. In addition to being one of two senior captains on the men\'s basketball team, he is a proud husband and father of three. Marcus\' three children are all under age four and he serves as a role model for them as well as his teammates. Last season, Marcus would commute over an hour daily from Milwaukee to Madison so he could attend classes and practice during the day and be with his family in the evenings. Recently he and his family moved to Madison, where his commute is a much more manageable distance.
Community Marcus is a multi-talented individual. Aside from his athletic prowess, he is also a gifted musician and leader. Ever since he was young he has been active with his church, playing bass guitar and drums in his church band. He has continued that fellowship at a church near campus in Madison. Marcus also serves as a mentor to Madison area youth. During his collegiate career at Wisconsin he has been involved in several mentorship programs and after-school programs with kids of all ages. He is also active in visiting Madison-area hospitals, spending time with sick and injured children.
Competition A preseason Wooden Award candidate, Marcus Landry is beginning to get the attention he deserves. Marcus earned the Most Outstanding Player award at the 2008 Big Ten tournament and was honored with second-team all-Big Ten accolades last season as well. This year he is a preseason first-team all-Big Ten selection after starting all 36 games last year, averaging 10.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Landry led the Badgers in scoring during Big Ten games in 2008 and is on pace to score his 1,000th-career point this season. Matt Lawrence (University of Missouri)
Classroom Matt is a senior in business finance at the University of Missouri and was an Academic All-Big 12 performer as a junior in 2007-08.
Character Matt agreed to begin his career at Missouri as a walk-on, but received a scholarship shortly after arriving on campus. As a freshman, Matt played just 5.4 minutes a game and was expected to get lost in the shuffle when Head Coach Mike Anderson and his fast-paced style of play came to Mizzou in 2006-07. Matt remained on campus throughout the summer months during the transition, he averaged 500 shots made per day and became one of the nation's most improved players in 2006-07, going from 1.5 points per game as a freshman, to 11.2 points per game as a sophomore. He ranked among the nation's leaders in three-point percentage and started all-30 games that year. Matt is a senior captain for the 2008-09 Tigers and has been a steady influence in the lockerroom. In short, you aren't going to find many young men of a higher character than Matt Lawrence.
Head Coach Mike Anderson on Matt Lawrence "In my mind, no one fits the Lowe's Senior Class Award better than Matt Lawrence. Here is a young man that came to Missouri on an academic scholarship and has worked to be one of the all-time great three-point shooters in school history. Probably the biggest complement I can pay Matt is he's a better person than a basketball player. And he's a darn good basketball player. He's really put in the work to be great in every aspect of his life."
Community Community service hits home for Matt Lawrence as he is the older brother of an autistic sister. Missouri is extremely active in the Columbia and Mid-Missouri communities and Matt is the first Tiger to volunteer. Whether it be at local read-a-thons at elementary schools, visiting children's hospitals on game days, participating in free youth basketball clinics or helping with a special olympics camp, Matt is a consistent presence for Mizzou.
Competition In addition to being one of the nation's most improved players in 2006-07, Matt was named to the Big 12 Conference All-Improved Team in 2006-07 and was named Stephen Bardo's (ESPN) Surprise Impact Player nationally. He was the Big 12's most improved scorer that season and ranked No. 2 in the Big 12 in three-point percentage (44.3) and three-point field goals made per game (2.7). For his career, Matt already ranks No. 8 in career three-point makes (162) heading into his senior season and should move all the way up to No. 2 by the time he finishes his Missouri career ... not bad for a former walk-on. He'll surpass Tigers such as Thomas Gardner (Atlanta Hawks) and Kareem Rush (Philadelphia 76ers) this season in career three-point makes and attempts. Matt Szalachowski (Lehigh University)
Classroom Matt is a multi year member of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll and Dean's List and carries a 3.62 grade point average. In addition, he is amember of the 2008 NABC Honor Roll.
Character Szalachowski is a two-time captain and member of Student-Athlete Council.
Community A member of Lehigh University's award winning COACH (community outreach) program, Szalachowski also travels to local middle and elementary schools to speak with students and works at basketball clinics on off days to teach game of basketball to local youth.
Competition Matt has appeared in 75 games during his career, starting 35 of them. He has scored 227 points, pulled down 93 rebounds and handed out 77 assists. Matt has shot 75 percent from the charity stripe, and scored a career high 14 points versus Saint Peter's and Columbia as a junior. Paul Velander (University of Nebraska)
Classroom Paul Velander has been as committed in the classromo as on the court. He has earned first-team academic All-Big 12 honors each of the past two years and has been named to the Big 12 Commissioner\'s Honor Roll each of the past four semesters. Following last season, Velander was named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches Honors Court for his achievements in the classroom and on the court. He is on pace to earn his degree in biological sciences in May 2009.
Character According to his coaches, Paul Velander is an ultimate professional and always remains positive with his teammates and coaches and realizes that after each game win or lose, that he must put it behind him the next day and prepare for the next challenge. He has always been committed to doing his part to help the team be successful every day in practice and ultimately in games. Velander understands the hard work and commitment that is necessary to go the extra mile in order to give his team the best opportunity to be successful. His enthusiasm has been contagious to his teammates and provided additional energy for them because he always leads by example first and foremost.
Community Paul Velander has been involved in a tremendous amount of activities off the basketball floor. Velander was elected to the Nebraska Student-Athlete Advisory Committee member for the 2007-08 and the 2008-09 seasons. He has served the past three seasons as the men's basketball SAAC representative. Velander was a volunteer for the Read to Succeed Book Drive in 2007 and 2008, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk in the fall of 2008 and the Nebraska Special Olympics in 2007. Additionally, he was involved with the City Impact Adopt-A-Child Christmas program in 2007, and served as a motivational speaker during American Education Week in 2007. Velander has also served as a volunteer for numerous youth basketball clinics and as an instructor at the University of Nebraska basketball camps.
Competition Paul Velander is the team\'s top 3-point shooter in 2008-09 and ranks sixth in the Nebraska record book for 3-point accuracy. Through the first five games of the season, Nebraska is 5-0 behind Velander, who is third on the team with 8.6 points per game and has hit 13-of-25 from 3-point range. He has four games (out of five) with three 3-pointers in each contest. He also has drawn seven charges, including three in two separate games. No other player has more than one charge taken. Velander has hit 39 percent from 3-point range in his career and needs 25 more 3-pointers this season to reach the Nebraska career top 10. Velander has played 65 career games, making only one start in his sophomore season because of a player suspension. Robert Dozier (University of Memphis)
Classroom Robert is a good student-athlete, and is on schedule to receive his bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in the spring of 2009.
Character Robert has grown into a leadership role during his time at Memphis, and will be one of the team's leaders in 2008-09. In his first two seasons, Robert deferred to the upperclassmen and followed them and the tone they set for the team. Prior to his junior season, Robert dedicated himself to the weight room and preparation for the year, and his teammates noticed and followed his lead. He has done the same prior to his senior season in 2008-09, and along with fellow senior Antonio Anderson, is setting the tone for this year's team.
HEAD COACH JOHN CALIPARI ON ROBERT DOZIER
"Robert is one of our senior leaders this season, and his leadership is primarily is seen by the example he sets. He's always in the gym early before practice or stays after to work on his game. Robert's dedication to the weight room has been tremendous as well, and has not only paid dividends for him but also for our team. His teammates see him working hard, and that inspires them to work just as hard. On the court, Robert is not that vocal of a guy - and we're working on that - but he's always has his teammates' backs. If a teammate falls short in a defensive assignment, Robert is there trying to make up for it. He's not one to pass blame or point the finger at someone else. Robert's willing to help or take in on his shoulders, and I believe that says volumes about his leadership."
Community Robert has been involved in the community. He has joined the Tiger squad on trips to visit children at St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis and also helped with youth basketball clinics at local community centers. He has also helped with wrapping Christmas gifts for families through the Streets Ministries outreach program in Memphis.
Competition Robert has played a major role in the Tigers' success in his career. Memphis has compiled a 104-10 record the past three years. The 104 wins tied the NCAA Division I record for most wins in a three-year span. Memphis won an NCAA Division I record 38 games in 2007-08. The Tigers made deep runs in the NCAA Tournament all three of Robert's years, advancing to the Elite Eight in 2006 and 2007 and the NCAA title game in 2008. Robert also helped lead Memphis to three-straight Conference USA regular season and tournament titles. Entering the 2008-09 campaign, Robert was named to the preseason All-Conference USA Team. Sam Hinnant (East Carolina)
Classroom Sam will graduate in just four years with a degree in business management during the spring semester of 2009. He is an honor roll student and has been named to Conference USA Commissioner's Honor Roll for outstanding academic achievement.
Character Sam is the only-fourth year senior on the team. He has displayed tremendous character both on the court and away from the game. He leads more than just verbally, he has set an example of how to play the game hard and play it the right way. Halfway through his sophomore season he sustained an injury that costs him the final 16 games of the year. Throughout his entire rehab, he worked extremely hard to return to the starting lineup the next season. Sam has had two head coaches as well.
Community Sam has also been an active member of the ECU and Greenville communities. He has spent hour mentoring at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Pitt County, participated in the Walk To Defeat ALS and also given of his time to speak to elementary and middle school students throughout the county. Sam has also been at the forefront of numerous team activities as it related to marketing and promoting the program. He served as a volunteer at Pirate Palooza, a welcome back to campus event for all members of the student body.
Competition Despite the loss of half a season, Sam has put up some outstanding numbers at East Carolina. He is just 318 points shy of 1,000 for his career. He ranks among the top 10 on the school's career list for 3-point field goals made (136) and attempted (578). Sam holds the school record 3-point field goals made in game with eight. He earned Conference USA All-Freshman team honors as rookie and picked up C-USA Player-of-the-Week honors last season after averaging 23 points in a pair of games against Clemson and N.C. State. Ranked among the Conference USA leaders in 3-point field goal percentage and 3-point shots made per game during the 2007-08 campaign. Sam Young (University of Pittsburgh)
Classroom Young maintains an approximate 2.5 GPA.
Character Sam has overcome many odds during his life, including helping his little brother (who is blind) through a devastating transition. Off the court, Young is an accomplished pianist and poet. During the off-season, Young can be found in local coffee shops reading his latest collection of poems, and he has already spoken with a publisher about a future book. In addition, he passed on the NBA draft to return for his senior season in an attempt to make a deeper run in the NCAA tournament.
Community Sam remains active in his community despite a demanding schedule. He has participated in various activities including the WTAE Healthy 4 Life Expo, where he signed autographs and made appearances to help find a cure for diabetes. Sam has also made visits to a local VA Hospital where he signed autographs and spent time with patients. He was also an active part of the Panther PAWS (Pitt Athletes Working with Students) where each week, a different team conducted a weekly instructional sports clinic with an educational topic. The clinic provided over 70 youth from the Hill District community the opportunity to be exposed to different sports and educational presentations. Young also aided the Paw Prints Presentation, in which members of the men's basketball team used Paw Prints newsletter to promote healthy living and good decision making among middle school students. The team collaborated with Amachi Pittsburgh, local nonprofit community organization. Amachi is a unique partnership of secular and faith-based organizations working together to provide mentoring to children of incarcerated parents. After the team facilitated interactive activities and discussion, they enjoyed bowling with participants. Additionally, Sam was active in an American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Fundraiser at a Pitt Football game, and has made visits to Children's Hospital where he participated in arts and crafts, played video games and board games.
Competition Sam has quite the list of preseason honors in 2008-09 including an Associated Press All-America honorable mention status and becoming a finalist for both the Wooden and Naismith Awards. He was listed as one of CNNSI's Top-15 Seniors, a CollegeInsider.com All-America choice, Blue Ribbon, Second Team All-America, and Blue Ribbon, First Team All-Big East. The Sporting News named Young to their All-Big East First Team, and USA Today granted him All-Big East First Team status. He is listed by Lindy's as the nation's No. 3 ranked small forward, a member of their All-Big East First Team, and the Lindy's Big East's Most Entertaining Player. Athlon named Sam the nation's No. 4 slasher, an All-America honorable mention, bestowed upon him a No. 21 overall ranking (Fantasy basketball), a No. 6 small forward ranking (Fantasy basketball), and a listed him as a member of their All-Big East Second Team. Additionally this season, Young received CollegeHoops.net Fourth Team All-America status and was tabbed an USBWA All-District and NABC All-District member, and was listed as the 2008 Big East Most Improved Player. He is a member of the All-Big East First Team and is ranked among Big East leaders in scoring (3rd), field goal percentage (10th), offensive rebounding (14th) and minutes played (18th). He is the reigning Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player and Pitt MVP. He set school records for season scoring (668 points) and double figure scoring games (36) and scored over 20 points in 15 games in 2008. Young was also a 2005-06 Big East All-Rookie Team selection. Taylor Rochestie (Washington State University)
Classroom A Pacific-10 All-Academic First Team honoree in 2007-09, Taylor Rochestie held a 3.27 grade point average following his junior season. He is majoring in communication.
Character Rochestie transferred from Tulane University following an knee injury after Hurricane Katrina hit prior to his sophomore season (2005-06). Rochestie joined the Cougars as a redshirt sophomore for the 2006-07 season. During his junior year he announced that he would give up his scholarship so that WSU could sign another player to an NLI. He was awarded with a scholarship this past summer, when two players transferred. Last season Rochestie was one of 14 finalists for the V Foundation Comeback of the Year Award.
Coach Bennett about Taylor: "Taylor wants to win as badly as anybody. He embodies a team player with his willingness to give up his scholarship last year and become a walk-on in his senior year to help out the program and add another player. Fortunately we were able to give it back to Taylor. The last couple of years he was in a role where he really distributed the ball and set up the Derrick Lows and Kyle Weavers and this year he's trying to be more assertive and take on a more scoring role. He's still finding his way, but is all about the team. He's an excellent student, he does a lot in the community, is involved with Athletes in Action and is a real people person. He cares deeply, and again has great leadership. He has the players over to his house a lot and has just taken them under his wing. It's no coincidence that since he arrived here and started playing, the last two years have been terrific. I really thought he tied things together, giving us a great lead guard, really helping our seniors last year and added a great weapon. He's had some huge games and is a very clutch player. This year we're looking for more of the same. "
Community Rochestie has volunteered in the community on numerous occasion. On top of that, he has worked with a local organization encouraging children to read. Rochestie is a familar face at local events, such as Pullman High School football and basketball games.
Competition One of the most efficient point guards in the country, Rochestie ranked 10th in the nation last year with a 2.81 assists/turnover ratio. He currently ranks on WSU's all-time list in 3-point field goal percentage (third-.423), free throw percentage (10th-.794), assists (14th-231) and 3-point field goals made (19th). He holds the school record for minutes played in a season with 1,223 minutes played in 2007-08. Terrence Williams (University of Louisville)
Classroom Terrence was honored on the U of L Athletic Director's Honor Roll and is on target to earn his degree in Communications at U of L in the Fall of 2009.
Character Team co-captain and leader for the Cardinals, Williams had knee surgery in the preseason and was back on the court in three weeks, all the while encouraging and helping to teach the seven newcomers on the team.
Community Terrence has read to elementary school classes, spoken at grade schools prior to testing sessions to help motivate students to do well, and is an engaging personality and creative go-to guy in the locker room for reporters.
Competition An unselfish player, Terrence has led the Cardinals in assists the last two years and makes others on the court better. He fills up the box score with positive stats, ranking among the team leaders in scoring, rebounding and steals. There are only four triple-doubles in U of L history; Williams has two of them. Tyler Hansbrough (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
Classroom Earning his college degree is also very important to Hansbrough as he decided to come back to North Carolina for his senior year. He is on track to graduate with a degree in communication studies.
Character After his sensational junior season and recognition as the nation's top player, Hansbrough was projected as a first-round NBA draft choice but elected to return to North Carolina for his senior season. In doing so, he became the highest profile men's basketball player to return for a senior year since Duke's Shane Battier in 2001, which inspired the creation of the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. "I like my situation," Hansbrough said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I really enjoy college. I felt like this is where I want to be. I want to be a part of this team because I consider all my teammates like my brothers, and I didn't want to leave them behind for another year because I was wanting to do something else. I mean, I enjoy this more than anything."
Community The reigning college basketball Player of the Year is met with endless autograph requests wherever he goes in the community. He remembers being an eager youngster trying to get player autographs and the thrill he felt when he got one keeps him signing just about everything to return the favor - particularly for children.
Competition Named 2007-08 National Player of the Year, the 11th Tar Heel to win NPOY honors. He was the first player to win Associated Press NPOY honors and return to school since LSU's Shaquille O'Neal did for the 1991-92 season. Hansbrough is a three-time first-team All-America, the fifth Tar Heel (first since 1984) to be a three-time, first-team All-America. No ACC player has ever earned first-team All-America honors in four seasons. He is one of 25 three-time first-team All-ACC selections but one of only three players to be a unanimous All-ACC pick three times. A consensus first-team All-America in 2007 and 2008, Hansbrough is the fifth Tar Heel to accomplish that.
He recently became UNC's all-time leading scorer, surpassing Ford (2,290) and he moved from 38th place after his sophomore season to second place after his junior season. Hansbrough is 15th in points scored by an ACC player and scored more points than any junior in ACC history, passing Georgia Tech's Dennis Scott (2,115) for the ACC record. One of only six Tar Heels to score 2,000 or more points. He is averaging 20.1 points, the sixth-highest average by a Tar Heel.