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EVAN TURNER NAMED 2010 NAISMITH MEN’S COLLEGE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Becomes the First Ohio State Player Ever to Win Prestigious Award

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. (April 4, 2010) – Junior Guard has been named winner of the 2010 Naismith Trophy presented by AT&T for Men’s College Player of the Year, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced today. The Big Ten Player of the Year edged out finalists (Kansas University), Wes Johnson (Syracuse University) and (University of Kentucky).

Turner accepted the trophy earlier this evening from David Christopher, AT&T’s chief marketing officer of AT&T Mobility & Consumer Markets, and Barry Goheen, Atlanta Tipoff Club chairman, at the National Association of Coaches (NABC) Guardians of the Game awards program at the Murat Theatre in Indianapolis.

“All season long Evan displayed that special team-first approach that is necessary to achieve success,” said Gary Stokan, Atlanta Tipoff Club president. “In doing so he enjoyed a tremendous season and is a fabulous ambassador for the game of . We are honored to recognize him as our Naismith Trophy winner.”

Turner was selected by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s National Voting Academy, comprised of leading basketball journalists, coaches and administrators from around the country, in addition to fan voting via text message, which accounted for 25 percent of the final results – more than any other national college basketball award. The voting academy based its criteria on player performances throughout the season. The vote was tabulated and certified by the accounting firm of Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP. HA&W is the largest independent accounting firm in Georgia and one of the top 50 firms in the .

“We’re really proud to provide NCAA fans the opportunity to vote for the Naismith award nominees,” said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T Mobility & Consumer Markets. “Since text voting counted for 25 percent of the final scores, we know fans had an important stake in the outcome. Connecting consumers to their passions is our priority, and programs like this make it easy for sports fans to do just that.”

“I’ve said all year Evan Turner is the best player in college basketball,” Ohio State Head Coach Thad Matta said. “I view him that way not because of his individual talent, which is extraordinary, but more so because of what he meant to his teammates and our coaching staff. His work ethic and the example he set for his teammates and future Buckeyes are unmatched. I congratulate Evan for winning the Naismith National Player of the Year honor for 2010. He and his family deserve this recognition for all the efforts spent toward earning this individual accomplishment.” -more- Men’s Naismith Winner Release Page 2

Turner led Ohio State to a 29-8 mark, the second-most victories in Ohio State history, and a share of the regular season championship and the conference tournament championship. He led the conference in scoring (20.4) and rebounds (9.2) and also averaged 2.0 steals and 5.9 assists per game. Turner concluded his junior year No. 15 in career scoring, No. 13 in career rebounds, No. 7 in career assists and No. 3 in career steals at Ohio State. He is one of only two Buckeyes all-time to record 1,000+ points, 500+ rebounds and rank among the Top 10 in career steals (159) and assists (414) – is the other. He is the only Ohio State player to reach 1,000 career points, 500 career rebounds, 400 career assists and 150 career steals.

Turner becomes the first Buckeye and fourth Big Ten player to win the Naismith Trophy, following (Purdue, 1994), (Indiana, 1993) and (Indiana, 1976).

“Winning the Naismith Player of the Year is an amazing achievement," Turner said. "I'm honored to be recognized for this award. Though this is an individual honor, I'm thrilled to represent my family, my teammates, coaches and The Ohio State University. “As the first Buckeye to win the award, to have my name listed with some of the greats of the game like Kareem (Lew Alcindor), , and is incredible. I appreciate those who voted for me and am just really excited to be associated with this award."

The Naismith Trophy presented by AT&T is regarded as the most prestigious national basketball award and is given annually to the men’s college basketball player of the year.

Past Naismith Trophy winners include:

2009 • Oklahoma 1988 • Kansas 2008 • North Carolina 1987 • Navy 2007 • Texas 1986 • Duke 2006 J.J. Redick • Duke 1985 • Georgetown 2005 • Utah 1984 Michael Jordan • North Carolina 2004 • Saint Joseph’s 1983 • Virginia 2003 T.J. Ford • Texas 1982 Ralph Sampson • Virginia 2002 Jason Williams • Duke 1981 Ralph Sampson • Virginia 2001 • Duke 1980 • DePaul 2000 • Cincinnati 1979 Larry Bird • Indiana State 1999 • Duke 1978 • Marquette 1998 • North Carolina 1977 • UCLA 1997 • Wake Forest 1976 Scott May • Indiana 1996 • UMass 1975 David Thompson • N.C. State 1995 • Maryland 1974 Bill Walton • UCLA 1994 Glenn Robinson • Purdue 1973 Bill Walton • UCLA 1993 Calbert Cheaney • Indiana 1972 Bill Walton • UCLA 1992 • Duke 1971 • Notre Dame 1991 Larry Johnson • UNLV 1970 • LSU 1990 • LaSalle 1969 Lew Alcindor • UCLA 1989 • Duke

-more- Men’s Naismith Winner Release Page 3

Last month, the Atlanta Tipoff Club presented the National Naismith High School Boy’s Player of the Year award to Ohio State-bound (Northland High School, Columbus, Ohio). This marks the first time ever that a high school recruit and a college winner share this type of Naismith Trophy connection to the same university.

For more information, visit www.naismithawards.com.

ABOUT THE ATLANTA TIPOFF CLUB The Atlanta Tipoff Club, an Atlanta Sports Council property, is committed to promoting the game of basketball and recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of those who make the game so exciting. The Atlanta Tipoff Club, founded during the 1956-57 season, has presented the Naismith Trophy every year since UCLA’s Lew Alcindor first won the award in 1969. Old Dominion’s Anne Donovan won the inaugural Women’s Naismith Trophy in 1983.

The Naismith Award has become the most prestigious award in all of college basketball, recognizing the Men’s and Women’s College Basketball Player of the Year, Men’s and Women’s College Basketball Coach of the Year, as well as awards for outstanding achievement in high school basketball, officiating, and contribution to the game.

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# # # Contact: Eric Oberman, Atlanta Tipoff Club (404) 586-8506 [email protected]