University of Colorado Athletics
Burks Named One of 20 Finalists on Wooden List
Selected by the Wooden Award National Advisory Board, the ballot is made up of 20 student-athletes who, based on their performances throughout the season, are the candidates for college basketball's most prestigious honors.
All 20 men's players have proven to their universities that they are also making progress toward graduation and are maintaining at least a cumulative 2.0 GPA. The Wooden Award Men's All American Teams will be announced the week of the "Elite Eight" round during the NCAA Tournament, making it unique among college postseason awards. Voters have until Monday, March 28 at Noon PDT to return their ballots.
Burks, an unanimous All-Big 12 first team selection currently leads the Buffaloes in scoring at 20.1 points and 2.9 assists per game. He became CU's first-ever Big 12 Conference All-Tournament team selection in Kansas City last week. Burks helped the Buffs to a pair of wins and a semifinal appearance.
Burks is one of four Big 12 players selected to the top-20 list. He averaged 25.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and two steals per game at the Big 12 Championships. Burks also ranks second on the Buffs in rebounding (6.4 rpg.) and is shooting 45.6 percent from the field.
The 35th annual Wooden Award ceremony, which will include the announcement of the men's and women's Wooden Award winners, a tribute to Coach Wooden and Wooden Award Founder, Duke Llewellyn, and the presentation of the Wooden Award All American Team trophies and the Legends of Coaching Award to Michigan State Head Coach Tom Izzo, will take place April 8, 2011 at The Los Angeles Athletic Club.
About the John R. Wooden Award
Created in 1976, the John R. Wooden Award is the most prestigious individual honor in college basketball. It is bestowed upon the nation's best player at an institution of higher education who has proven to his or her university that he or she is making progress toward graduation and maintaining a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA. Previous winners include such notables as Larry Bird ('79), Michael Jordan ('84), Tim Duncan ('97), Blake Griffin ('09) and Maya Moore of Connecticut ('09). Ohio State's Evan Turner and Connecticut's Tina Charles won the Award in 2010.
Since its inception, the John R. Wooden Award has contributed close to a million dollars to universities' general scholarship fund in the names of the All American recipients. The Award has also sent more than 1,000 underprivileged children to week-long college basketball camps in the Award's name. Additionally, the John R. Wooden Award partners with Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) each year to host the Wooden Award Special Olympics Southern California Basketball Tournament. The tournament, which brings together Special Olympic athletes and the All Americans, takes place at The Los Angeles Athletic Club the morning after the John R. Wooden Award Ceremony.
Follow the candidates and get the latest news throughout the season by logging on to www.WoodenAward.com. For more information on the John R. Wooden Award, please contact the Wooden Award staff at 213-630-5206 or email at woodenaward@laac.net.
2011 John R. Wooden Award Ballot
|
Name |
Height |
Class |
Position |
University |
Conference |
|
Marshon Brooks |
6-5 |
Sr. |
G/F |
Providence |
Big East |
|
Alec Burks |
6-6 |
So. |
G |
Colorado |
Big 12 |
|
Norris Cole |
6-2 |
So. |
G |
Cleveland State |
Horizon |
|
Kenneth Faried |
6-8 |
Sr. |
F/C |
Morehead State |
Ohio Valley |
|
Jimmer Fredette* |
6-2 |
Sr. |
G |
Brigham Young |
Mountain West |
|
Jordan Hamilton |
6-7 |
So. |
G/F |
Texas |
Big 12 |
|
Ben Hansbrough |
6-3 |
Sr. |
G |
Notre Dame |
Big East |
|
Dwight Hardy |
6-2 |
Sr. |
G |
St. John's |
Big East |
|
JaJuan Johnson |
6-10 |
Sr. |
F/C |
Purdue |
Big Ten |
|
Kawhi Leonard |
6-7 |
So. |
F |
San Diego State |
Mountain West |
|
Jon Leuer |
6-10 |
Sr. |
F |
Wisconsin |
Big Ten |
|
E'Twaun Moore |
6-4 |
Sr. |
G |
Purdue |
Big Ten |
|
Marcus Morris |
6-9 |
Jr. |
F |
Kansas |
Big 12 |
|
Jacob Pullen |
6-0 |
Sr. |
G |
Kansas State |
Big 12 |
|
Kyle Singler* |
6-8 |
Sr. |
F |
Duke |
ACC |
|
Nolan Smith |
6-2 |
Sr. |
G |
Duke |
ACC |
|
Jared Sullinger |
6-9 |
Fr. |
F |
Ohio State |
Big Ten |
|
Jordan Taylor |
6-1 |
Jr. |
G |
Wisconsin |
Big Ten |
|
Kemba Walker |
6-1 |
Jr. |
G |
Connecticut |
Big East |
|
Derrick Williams |
6-8 |
So. |
F |
Arizona |
Pac-10 |
(Players listed alphabetically.)
*indicates player chosen to the 2010 Wooden Award ballot