Kansas University senior Wayne Simien is one of four finalists for the Naismith Trophy.
Simien, a senior forward from Leavenworth, is joined on the final college player-of-the-year ballot by Utah’s Andrew Bogut, Wake Forest’s Chris Paul and Duke’s J.J. Redick.
The winner will be announced April 3 in St. Louis, site of the Final Four. The four finalists will attend the NABC awards show, where the winner will be announced.
“These players have had incredible seasons both as individuals and in leading their teams on the court,” said Gary Stokan, president of Atlanta’s Tipoff Club, which sponsors the award.
KU’s Danny Manning won the award in 1988. It has been in existence since 1969.
Simien averaged 20.3 points a game, the best scoring mark by a KU player since Paul Pierce’s 20.4 ppg in 1997-98. Simien averaged 11.0 boards a game, KU’s best since Drew Gooden’s 11.3 in 2001-02.
Simien ended his career No. 12 on KU’s all-time scoring list (1,593 points), No. 7 in rebounding (884), fourth in double-doubles (38) and fourth in double-figure-rebounding games (39).
Simien averaged 26 points and 12 rebounds in his final six games, including two 30-point performances against Oklahoma State (32 and 30) and a 25-point, 20-rebound game on Senior Night against Kansas State. It was the seventh 20-20 game in Big 12 Conference history.
He had 24 points and 10 boards in KU’s season-ending loss to Bucknell.
“Being in Kansas, having an opportunity to play at such a great level competitively and play with such a great group of guys under a great coach, that’s definitely what got me there,” Simien said.
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