Photo by: Joel Broida
Buffaloes Celebrate 2022-23 Season At Awards Banquet
April 05, 2023 | Men's Basketball
BOULDER – University of Colorado men's basketball head coach Tad Boyle announced the team's 2022-23 season awards Wednesday night at the Buffaloes end of season celebration at the CU Events Center.
Tristan da Silva received the Chauncey Billups Award as the team's Most Valuable Player. The Chauncey Billups MVP Award is one of five voted on by Colorado men's basketball student-athletes. Jalen Gabbidon took home the Best Defender and Most Inspirational Awards. Luke O'Brien won the Most Improved Player Award. Ethan Wright claimed the Tebo Family P.A.S.S. Award.
In addition, two annual statistical champion awards were recognized. KJ Simpson won the McKinley Wright IV Assist Award for the second time while O'Brien won the Stephane Pelle Rebounding Award.
Da Silva led Colorado at 15.9 points per game while shooting just under 50 percent from the field and 75 percent from the free throw line. He had a team-best 54 3-point field goals, hitting at a 39.4 percent clip. Da Silva led the team in total steals (44) and was second in total rebounds (168) averaging 4.8 per contest.
An All-Pac-12 Conference First Team selection, da Silva ranked sixth in scoring and 3-point percentage, ninth in steals (1.3 spg), 10th in overall shooting and 14th in free throw accuracy on the league charts.
Gabbidon regularly took the task of guarding the opponent's best perimeter player. While his statistical numbers are modest – 20 total steals, 11 blocks and 2.0 rebounds per game average – he brought energy and hustle to the Buffaloes defense in his first season at the Power 5 Conference level. Gabbidon also emerged as a leader in the locker room, a tough task for a transfer in his lone season with Colorado.
As the Most Improved Player, O'Brien took a big leap during his junior season, improving in all aspects of his game. He averaged 6.2 points and 5.6 rebounds this season – an increase of nearly four points and three rebounds per game from his sophomore campaign. O'Brien also increased his production in assists (34) and free throw shooting (.700) while nearly doubling his total in steals (22). He was third on the team with 16 blocks after having only three in his first two seasons combined.
O'Brien received the Stephane Pelle Rebounding Award, leading the Buffaloes with 184 total rebounds. He ranked 16th in the Pac-12 in overall rebounding at 5.6 game and was even better during conference play as his 6.2 average was 12th on the league charts. O'Brien led the Buffaloes in rebounding 12 times during the season and had five games of double-digit rebounds. His 14 rebounds against Seton Hall was a career-high and the program's best in an NIT game.
Simpson received the McKinley Wright IV Assist Award for the second-straight season after leading the Buffaloes with 111. He led or shared the team lead in assists 24 times during the season, highlighted by a career and team season-high seven at Arizona on Feb. 18. Simpson ranked seventh in the Pac-12 in assists both overall and in league play, dishing out 3.8 per game in both instances.
Wright was named the team's Tebo Family P.A.S.S. Award winner. In its sixth season, the Tebo Family P.A.S.S. Award is named in honor of Stephen Tebo, a long-time supporter of the Colorado basketball program. The award was created to recognize the player, or players, that best exemplified the virtues of Perseverance, Attitude, Selflessness and Success.
Similar to Gabbidon, Wright was a graduate transfer playing in his lone season at Colorado. He became a key part of the Buffaloes rotation and shined during postseason play. Wright was second on the team in scoring during the postseason at 13.5 points per game and led the Buffaloes with 11 3-point field goals while shooting 46 percent from beyond the arc.
Colorado finished the 2022-23 season at 18-17 overall and tied for eighth the Pac-12 at 8-12. The Buffaloes advanced to the second round of the 2023 National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
Tristan da Silva received the Chauncey Billups Award as the team's Most Valuable Player. The Chauncey Billups MVP Award is one of five voted on by Colorado men's basketball student-athletes. Jalen Gabbidon took home the Best Defender and Most Inspirational Awards. Luke O'Brien won the Most Improved Player Award. Ethan Wright claimed the Tebo Family P.A.S.S. Award.
In addition, two annual statistical champion awards were recognized. KJ Simpson won the McKinley Wright IV Assist Award for the second time while O'Brien won the Stephane Pelle Rebounding Award.
Da Silva led Colorado at 15.9 points per game while shooting just under 50 percent from the field and 75 percent from the free throw line. He had a team-best 54 3-point field goals, hitting at a 39.4 percent clip. Da Silva led the team in total steals (44) and was second in total rebounds (168) averaging 4.8 per contest.
An All-Pac-12 Conference First Team selection, da Silva ranked sixth in scoring and 3-point percentage, ninth in steals (1.3 spg), 10th in overall shooting and 14th in free throw accuracy on the league charts.
Gabbidon regularly took the task of guarding the opponent's best perimeter player. While his statistical numbers are modest – 20 total steals, 11 blocks and 2.0 rebounds per game average – he brought energy and hustle to the Buffaloes defense in his first season at the Power 5 Conference level. Gabbidon also emerged as a leader in the locker room, a tough task for a transfer in his lone season with Colorado.
As the Most Improved Player, O'Brien took a big leap during his junior season, improving in all aspects of his game. He averaged 6.2 points and 5.6 rebounds this season – an increase of nearly four points and three rebounds per game from his sophomore campaign. O'Brien also increased his production in assists (34) and free throw shooting (.700) while nearly doubling his total in steals (22). He was third on the team with 16 blocks after having only three in his first two seasons combined.
O'Brien received the Stephane Pelle Rebounding Award, leading the Buffaloes with 184 total rebounds. He ranked 16th in the Pac-12 in overall rebounding at 5.6 game and was even better during conference play as his 6.2 average was 12th on the league charts. O'Brien led the Buffaloes in rebounding 12 times during the season and had five games of double-digit rebounds. His 14 rebounds against Seton Hall was a career-high and the program's best in an NIT game.
Simpson received the McKinley Wright IV Assist Award for the second-straight season after leading the Buffaloes with 111. He led or shared the team lead in assists 24 times during the season, highlighted by a career and team season-high seven at Arizona on Feb. 18. Simpson ranked seventh in the Pac-12 in assists both overall and in league play, dishing out 3.8 per game in both instances.
Wright was named the team's Tebo Family P.A.S.S. Award winner. In its sixth season, the Tebo Family P.A.S.S. Award is named in honor of Stephen Tebo, a long-time supporter of the Colorado basketball program. The award was created to recognize the player, or players, that best exemplified the virtues of Perseverance, Attitude, Selflessness and Success.
Similar to Gabbidon, Wright was a graduate transfer playing in his lone season at Colorado. He became a key part of the Buffaloes rotation and shined during postseason play. Wright was second on the team in scoring during the postseason at 13.5 points per game and led the Buffaloes with 11 3-point field goals while shooting 46 percent from beyond the arc.
Colorado finished the 2022-23 season at 18-17 overall and tied for eighth the Pac-12 at 8-12. The Buffaloes advanced to the second round of the 2023 National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
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