CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland State senior guard Norris Cole has been named as one of 10 finalists for the 2011 Bob Cousy Award, which is presented by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to the nation's top collegiate point guard.
This annual award is given to college basketball's top point guard and is named after Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic great Bob Cousy. An original list of 70 plus candidates made up of players from around the country was trimmed by a Hall of Fame appointed, nationally based committee to 20 and has now narrowed that list to a final ten.
Cole leads the Horizon League with 20.1 points, 5.2 assists and 2.3 steals per game and ranks second free throw percentage (.840). He has scored at least 19 points 17 times this season, including 12, 20 point games. The senior has scored 1,700 points in his CSU career, ranking him fifth all-time on the school scoring list.
"This final list of ten players represents the best of the best in college basketball at the point guard position," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. "We look forward to recognizing the nation's top college basketball point guard and wish all the candidates best of luck.
"We have many excellent candidates for the 2011 award that share Mr. Cousy's vision of a point guard. We look forward to following each of these players as the season heads to the final weeks and recognize the top player in college basketball at the point guard position at the Final Four," said Ken Kaufman, Chair of the 2011 Bob Cousy Award.
Beginning February 8, via the Bob Cousy Award's website - www.cousyaward.com - fans will be able to vote for the top point guard. The player that receives the most fan votes will receive one vote toward the final committee vote. Fan voting will run one month - beginning February 8 and will conclude March 8.
The current listing of ten finalists for the 2011 Bob Cousy Award will be narrowed down to five players by March 10th. 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 2011 Bob Cousy Award will be awarded at the Hall of Fame's Class Announcement on Monday April 4th in Houston, Texas as part of NCAA Final Four weekend.
2011 Bob Cousy Award Finalists
Norris Cole - Cleveland State
Corey Fisher - Villanova
Jimmer Fredette - BYU
DJ Gay - San Diego State
Brandon Knight - Kentucky
Demetri McCamey - Illinois
Mickey McConnell - St. Mary's
Nolan Smith - Duke
Isaiah Thomas - Washington
Kemba Walker - Connecticut
(Release courtesy CSUVikings.com)
Tags: Cleveland State - Men's Basketball
