NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the five finalists for the 2016 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award. Iona College men’s basketball senior guard and MAAC Tournament Most Outstanding Performer A.J. English was named to the list with four elite student-athletes from high-major programs.
It is the second year an Iona peformer was a finalist for one of the Naismith Hall of Fame’s position awards. Last season, David Laury was one of the five in contention for the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award.Named after Hall of Famer and 1959 NCAA Final Four Most Valuable Player Jerry West, the annual honor in its second year recognizes the top shooting guards in Division I men’s college basketball. A national committee comprised of top college basketball personnel narrowed the original watch list of 20 candidates down to 10 and now the final five.
“As one of the best jump shooters to play the game, Jerry West’s drive for perfection is what set him apart,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “The finalists for this award have shown that same determination and we are happy to acknowledge them for their outstanding efforts this season.”
The winner of the 2016 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award will be determined by a combination of fan votes and input from the Basketball Hall of Fame’s selection committee. Fans are encouraged to visit www.HoophallAwards.com to cast their votes March 11-25.
The winner of the 2016 Jerry West Award will be awarded at ESPN’s College Basketball Awards presented by Wendy’s from Club Nokia in Los Angeles, CA on Friday, April 8, 2016. The Awards will be televised live on ESPN2 at 8 p.m. EST.
Last season, D’Angelo Russell of Ohio State was named the inaugural winner of the 2016 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award. For more information on the 2016 Jerry West Award, log onto www.HoophallAwards.com.
2016 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award Finalists
Grayson Allen, Duke
A.J. English, Iona
Buddy Hield, Oklahoma
Josh Hart, Villanova
Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia
About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was invented, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the game of basketball at every level – professional, collegiate and high school, for both men and women on the global stage.
For more information:
Visit us on the web: www.hoophall.com or www.hoophallawards.com
… on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BHOF
… on Twitter/Instagram: @hoophall #CBBAwards #WestAward
… or call 1-877-4-HOOPLA FREE