Larkin Finalist for Point Guard of the Year

Springfield, Mass. – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today that Miami Hurricane point guard Shane Larkin is one of 12 finalists on the watch list for the 2013 Bob Cousy Collegiate Point Guard of the Year Award.

The annual honor, named for Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic Bob Cousy, recognizes the top point guards in men’s college basketball. An original list of 80 candidates was trimmed down by a nationally based committee to the below watch list of 12 student-athletes.

Larkin has been a breakout star on the college scene this year. He is averaging 11.9 points, 4.6 assists and 5.0 rebounds in ACC play, where he has lead the Canes to an unprecedented 9-0 start and two-game lead in the conference standings.  He had marquee performances in the defeat of No. 1 Duke (18 points 10 rebounds, 5 assists) and Virginia Tech (25 points, 3 steals, 3 assists), which have catapulted him into the conversation for national point guard of the year.

Watch: Behind The Scenes vs. #1 Duke | U TV Live vs. UNC

Larkin becomes the first player in UM history to be named as a finalist for the Cousy Award or any other national player of the year award.

“It is truly an honor to recognize this year’s final 12 candidates — this is an elite group of student athletes that have had a tremendous consistency to their season,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “The Cousy Award screening committee has worked diligently to narrow down their list, and we look forward to recognizing the player that embodies the same leadership skills and determination as Bob Cousy.”
“The Cousy Award screening committee has done an extraordinary job trimming down the list to the final 12,” said Ken Kaufman, Chair of the Bob Cousy Award and former president of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). “We have a lot of great candidates, and we look forward to following these players through the remainder of their season and recognizing the best point guard in college basketball at the Final Four. 
Beginning Thursday, February 7th at 1pm EST via the Bob Cousy Award’s website – www.cousyaward.com — fans will be able to vote for the top point guard. The player that receives the most fan votes will receive one vote toward the final committee vote. Fan voting will run one month – beginning February 7th and will conclude March 7th. Previous winners of the Bob Cousy Award have included Jameer Nelson (St. Joseph’s), Raymond Felton (North Carolina), Dee Brown (Illinois), Acie Law (Texas A & M), DJ Augustin (Texas), Ty Lawson (North Carolina), Greivis Vasquez (Maryland), Kemba Walker (Connecticut) and last year’s recipient Kendall Marshall (North Carolina). For more information on the 2013 Bob Cousy, log onto www.CousyAward.com.

The current listing of 12 finalists for the 2013 Bob Cousy Award will be narrowed down to 5 players on March 11th. The final five players in contention for the award will be presented to Mr. Cousy and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The Hall of Fame committee is made up of top college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, Sports Information Directors and Hall of Famers. The winner of the 2013 Bob Cousy Award will be presented at the Hall of Fame’s Class Announcement on Championship Monday in Atlanta as part of NCAA Final Four weekend.
About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame:Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the Birthplace of Basketball, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the game of basketball at every level – professional, collegiate, men and women.