DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke guard Jason Williams (Plainfield, N.J.) was named
the Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year on Monday as
announced by the Atlanta Tip-Off Club. Williams, a sociology major, is
the sixth Duke player to earn the Naismith Award, joining Johnny Dawkins
(1986), Danny Ferry (1989), Christian Laettner (1992), Elton Brand
(1999) and Shane Battier (2001). A first team All-America pick,
Williams has already won National Player of the Year honors by ESPN.com,
CBS Sportsline and College Insider.com in 2002. Last season, the NABC
named Williams its National Player of the Year.
"This is the sixth time a Duke player has been awarded this prestigious
honor and only the seventh time that there has been a repeat National
Player of the Year," said Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski. "Jason joins
pretty select company. I think it is indicative of the year that he has
had - a fantastic year. He has been our leader all year."
Williams ranks among Duke's all-time top 10 in several statistical
categories, including points (2,064-seventh), scoring average
(19.3-sixth), three-point field goals (310-second), three-point attempts
(788-second), three-point percentage (.393-seventh), assists (640-third)
and steals (234-fifth). He is the first Blue Devil to rank among the
school's career top 10 in those seven categories. He has earned first
team All-America honors this season from Associated Press (unanimous),
NABC, USBWA and CBS Sportsline. He is looking to join one of his current
coaches, Dawkins, as the only two-time consensus first team All-America
in Duke history.
"I am honored to win the Naismith Award," Williams said. "I set
individual goals prior to this season, one of which was to win National
Player of the Year honors. The Naismith Award is one of the most
prestigious honors a player can receive and I am thrilled to be the
winner. However, nothing would compare to winning a second national
championship, which is our main focus right now."
The Naismith Awards, in their 34th year, are given in honor of the
inventor of the game of basketball - Dr. James Naismith. The awards
program was founded by the Atlanta Tip-Off Club, an organization
dedicated to recognizing the achievements of student-athletes in
basketball. The Awards, including Men's and Women's College Player of
the Year, Men's and Women's Coach of the Year, Male and Female Prep
Player of the Year and Men's and Women's Official of the Year, are
determined by a vote of the Naismith Board of Selectors. In addition,
the Board of Selectors, comprised of a select group of leading
basketball conches, journalists and administrators, honors a Men's and
Women's Outstanding Contributor to Basketball.
The Atlanta Tip-Off Club was founded in 1956 as a way for Atlantans to
share in a common bond - the love and enjoyment of college basketball.
It has a two-fold mission: to promote continued support for the game of
basketball and to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of those who
make the game so exciting.