Naismith Trophy Presented by Cingular Wireless Names Mid-Season Candidates

ATLANTA (Feb. 13, 2006) - Thirty of the country's top collegiate men's basketball players, including SU senior Gerry McNamara, were named as mid-season candidates for the NaismithTrophy presented by Cingular Wireless, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced today. The Naismith Trophy is the most prestigious national award presented annually to the men's and women's players of the year.

The Top 30 list was compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors, comprised of leading basketball journalists, coaches and administrators from around the country. The board based its criteria on player performances this season. The list was narrowed down from the pre-season list of 50 candidates who were announced at the beginning of the season.

"This year's field of potential winners is beginning to come into shape," said Gary Stokan, Atlanta Tipoff Club president. "As we head into the stretch run of the season and approach tournament time, I'd expect many of these young men to show why they deserve to be considered for the Naismith Trophy."

Cingular Wireless, the nation's largest wireless carrier, will again give fans an influential voice in selecting this year's winner. Fan voting, through the power and ease of text messaging, will account for 25% of the selection process once the four finalists are announced. This program sets the standard for integrating fans into the voting process and providing them with more input than with any other major collegiate sports award

"The Naismith Trophy is special not only because it represents the best player in the country, but because it also allows college basketball fans an unprecedented voice in determining the winner," said David Garver, Executive Director of High Growth Segments and Sponsorships at Cingular Wireless. "This is a very talented group of nominees and Cingular is excited to once again present the award and help recognize the most outstanding players in college basketball."

Beginning February 11, CBS Sports' "CINGULAR AT THE HALF" will feature a weekly Naismith Trophy Watch highlighting the players in contention. These players, and others who distinguish themselves throughout the season, will be eligible for the final ballot in March when four finalists for the award are announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors. The Naismith Trophy winner will be named at the NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis.

The mid-season candidates for the Naismith Trophy presented by Cingular Wireless, listed in alphabetical order, are as follows:

2005-2006 Top 30 Men's Mid-Season Candidates

Hassan Adams, Arizona

Maurice Ager, Michigan State

Josh Boone, Connecticut

Dee Brown, Illinois

Shannon Brown, Michigan State

Greg Brunner, Iowa

Nik Caner-Medley, Maryland

Rodney Carney, Memphis

Paul Davis, Michigan State

Glen Davis, Louisiana State

Jordan Farmar, UCLA

Nick Fazekas, Nevada

Mike Gansey, West Virginia

Rudy Gay, Connecticut

Daniel Gibson, Texas

Taj Gray, Oklahoma

Carl Krauser, Pittsburgh

Gerry McNamara, Syracuse

Paul Millsap, Louisiana Tech

Adam Morrison, Gonzaga

Kevin Pittsnogle, West Virginia

Rajon Rondo, Kentucky

Allan Ray, Villanova

Brandon Roy, Washington

J.J. Redick, Duke

Craig Smith, Boston College

P.J. Tucker, Texas

Alando Tucker, Wisconsin

Darius Washington, Memphis

Shelden Williams, Duke

Last year's Naismith Trophy recipient was University of Utah center

Andrew Bogut. Other notable men's college player of the year winners

include Bill Walton, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing and

Christian Laettner. For more information, visit www.naismithawards.com

Syracuse University Athletics

Naismith Trophy Presented by Cingular Wireless Names Mid-Season Candidates

Related News

Related Videos