OGDEN -- Weber State junior Damian Lillard has been named a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Wednesday.
Lillard is one of 20 players in the nation who are finalists for the award, named for Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic Bob Cousy, which recognizes the top point guard in college basketball.
Lillard, a native of Oakland, Calif., is leading the nation in scoring at 25.2 points per game, leading Weber State to a 10-3 overall record and a 2-0 record in Big Sky Conference play heading into this weekend.
Lillard has scored 20 or more points in 10 of WSU's 13 games this season, including a career-high 41 points in a Dec. 3 win over San Jose State. He has led the Wildcats in scoring in 11 games.
He also ranks eighth in the nation in 3-point field goals made per game at 3.3 and is 19th in the country in free throw percentage at 90.2 percent. Lillard is 27th in the country in 3-point field goal percentage at 45.3. He also leads the Wildcats in rebounding at 5.8 per game and is averaging 3.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game so far this season.
He currently ranks sixth in Weber State history in career scoring with 1,477 points and is third in career 3-pointers made. The 2009-10 Big Sky Conference MVP has returned this season after missing most of last year with a foot injury.
The list of 20 finalists includes 11 players that are currently on nationally ranked teams.
The current listing of 20 finalists for the 2012 Bob Cousy Award will be narrowed down to 10 players in early February and then down five players by early March. The final five players in contention for the award will be presented to Mr. Cousy and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. This 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 2012 Bob Cousy Award will be awarded at the Hall of Fame's Class Announcement on Monday April 2 in New Orleans as part of NCAA Final Four weekend.
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) and last year's recipient Kemba Walker (Connecticut).
The finalists:
Pierre Jackson, Baylor
Shabazz Napier, UConn
Ray McCallum, Detroit
Seth Curry, Duke
Erving Walker, Florida
Scott Machado, Iona
Casper Ware, Long Beach State
Peyton Siva, Louisville
Trey Burke, Michigan
Dee Bost, Mississippi State
Phil Pressey, Missouri
Kendall Marshall, North Carolina
Aaron Craf,t Ohio State
D.J. Cooper, Ohio
Zack Rosen, Pennsylvania
Ashton Gibbs, Pittsburgh
Scoop Jardine, Syracuse
Damian Lillard, Weber State
Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin
Tu Holloway, Xavier
For more information on the 2012 Bob Cousy, visit www.CousyAward.com.
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