Derek Needham among nominees for Bob Cousy Award | Press Releases

Image: Derek Needham Fairfield University sophomore Derek Needham (Dolton, Ill.) is one of 66 student-athletes competing for the Bob Cousy Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top point guard. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame oversees the selection process and the presentation of the award.

Needham currently leads the team in scoring with 12.0 points per game, and ranks second in the MAAC with 5.8 assists per game. He was named to the 2010-11 preseason All-MAAC team after being selected MAAC Rookie of the Year and All-MAAC in 2009-10. He ranked among Division I freshman student-athletes last year with a 16.4 scoring average (6th), and a 5.2 assists average (4th).

The original list of candidates will be narrowed down to a final 20 by January 3. A top ten list will be available by February 3, with the final five being chosen by March 3. A Hall of Fame appointed screening committee will be narrowing down the candidates from 20 to 10 to 5 prior to a Blue Ribbon Selection Committee evaluating the final five candidates and ultimately choosing the winner.

"The Hall of Fame is proud to once again work with Mr. Cousy and to present one of college basketball's most coveted awards," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. "This list represents a wide range of college basketball's top players and we look forward to honoring the legacy of Mr. Cousy with this year's award winner."

Both of the Hall of Fame committees are made up of top college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers. The winner of the 2011 Bob Cousy Award will be presented at the Hall of Fame's Class Announcement on Monday, April 4th in Houston, as part of the NCAA Final Four weekend.

Previous winners of the Bob Cousy Award have included: Jameer Nelson (Saint Joseph's), Raymond Felton (North Carolina), Dee Brown (Illinois), Acie Law (Texas A & M), DJ Augustin (Texas), Ty Lawson (North Carolina), and Greivis Vasquez (Maryland).