Jan. 5, 2010
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Junior Patrick Patterson and freshman John Wall have both been named as candidates and finalists for the some of the most prestigious awards in college basketball.
Wall has been named one of 20 finalists for the Bob Cousy award, presented at the end of the season to the nation’s top point guard.
He is averaging a team best 17.2 points and 7.3 assists. He currently ranks second nationally in assists and 27 th in steals (2.4). The four-time SEC Freshman of the Week ranks fourth in the league in scoring and ninth in field goal percentage (.519) and free throw percentage (.786).
The 6-4 point guard has recorded two double-doubles in points and assists this season and broke the school record for assists in a game with 16 against Hartford, the highest single-game assist total in the country this year.
The current listing of 20 finalists for the 2010 Bob Cousy Award presented by The Hartford will be narrowed down to 10 players by February 1st and than further to five players by March 1st. The final five players in contention for the award will be presented to Mr. Cousy and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. These Hall of Fame committees are made up of top college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, Sports Information Directors and Hall of Famers. The winner of the 2010 Bob Cousy Award presented by The Hartford will be awarded at the Hall of Fame’s Class Announcement on Monday April 5th in Indianapolis as part of NCAA Final Four weekend.
Wall is also one of 30 top candidates for the John R. Wooden Award. He is one 10 players who weren’t on the original watch list in the preseason,
Patterson is also among the top 30 candidates for Wooden Award.
The 6-9 Patterson, who is making his second appearance on the Wooden Top 30 list, is currently averaging 16.7 points and 8.3 rebounds. His .630 field goal percentage ranks fifth nationally, while he ranks fifth in the league in rebounding and seventh in scoring.
The 6-9 forward has recorded six double-doubles so far this season, fourth most in the SEC, and currently ranks 31 st on UK’s all-time scoring list.
Just as players who are not on the preseason list are eligible for the Midseason Top 30, players who do not make the Midseason list are still eligible for the national ballot, which will be selected in March and will consist of approximately 20 players, chosen by the Wooden Award National Advisory Board Committee. Players selected to the national ballot will have to be certified by their university as making progress toward graduation and maintaining a cumulative 2.0 GPA.
More than 1,000 voters, comprised of sports media members and college basketball experts from across the nation, will then cast their votes to determine both the 10-member All American Team and Player of the Year. In late March, the 10-player Wooden Award All American Team will be announced.
