Rice Named Naismith Candidate
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Oct. 16, 2001
University of Miami sophomore Darius Rice (Jackson, MS) has been selected as one of 30 preseason candidates for the 2001-02 Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year Award.
Rice, a 6-10 forward and 2000-01 BIG EAST All-Rookie team selection, averaged 14.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game last season in helping lead Miami to a 16-13 record and its fifth consecutive post-season tournament appearance.
Rice posted 20 double-figure scoring games last season including a UM freshman record 35 points against Central Florida. Rice recorded a team-high 62 three-point baskets in 2000-01 and registered 31 steals and 14 blocks.
Rice is one of three BIG EAST athletes recognized as a preseason candidate for the Naismith Award. Joining Rice on the list are Troy Bell (Boston College) and Caron Butler (Connecticut).
The Naismith Awards program, now in its 34th year, honors the outstanding college basketball player in the United States. The awards program was founded by the Atlanta Tipoff Club, an organization dedicated to recognizing the achievements of student athletes in basketball.
The candidates were selected by a vote of the Board of Selectors comprised of leading basketball coaches, journalists and basketball analysts.
Preseason Naismith Player of the Year Candidates
(listed alphabetically)
Lonny Baxter, MarylandTroy Bell, Boston CollegeLaVell Blanchard, MichiganKeith Bogans, KentuckyCarlos Boozer, DukeCaron Butler, ConnecticutNick Collison, KansasSam Clancy, USCJuan Dixon, MarylandChris Duhon, DukeMike Dunleavy, DukeMelvin Ely, Fresno StateReggie Evans, IowaDrew Gooden, KansasLynn Greer, TempleUdonis Haslem, FloridaCasey Jacobson, StanfordJared Jeffries, IndianaJason Kapono, UCLAChris Marcus, Western KentuckyBrett Nelson, FloridaMarvin O’Conner, St. Joseph’sChris Owens, TexasTayshawn Prince, KentuckyLuke Recker, IowaDARIUS RICE, MIAMI-FLKareem Rush, MissouriDavid West, XavierFrank Williams, IllinoisJason Williams, Duke
