The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Johnson Named Candidate For Cousy Award
12/20/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 20, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- UAB senior Aaron Johnson has been tabbed as one of 66 candidates nationwide for the 2011 Bob Cousy Award, it was announced on Monday. The annual award, named for Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic Bob Cousy, recognizes college basketball's top point guard.
"Aaron is a tremendous leader and the definition of what a point guard is to his team," UAB head coach Mike Davis said. "I am extremely pleased he was named a candidate and he definitely is deserving to be on this list."
Through 10 games this season, Johnson has proven to be one of the best at his position in the nation. The 5-8 point guard currently leads Conference USA and ranks second nationally with an average of 8.2 assists per game. He has compiled 82 assists with only 36 turnovers on the campaign. The Chicago, Ill. native is also averaging 10.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals per contest.
Johnson just reached the 500-assist milestone for his career and enters Tuesday night's contest against VCU with 507 career helpers. In doing so, Johnson became the fourth player in UAB history and eighth in Conference USA lore to reach the milestone. He is on pace to break the school's all-time assist mark of 597, set by former Blazer great Steve Mitchell.
Johnson is one of five point guards from C-USA to earn the nomination. UCF's A.J. Rompza, East Carolina's Brock Young, Tulane's Jordan Callahan and UTEP's Julyan Stone were each named to the list.
This original list of candidates will be narrowed down to the final 20 by January 3rd, final 10 by February 3rd, and final five by March 3rd. A College Basketball Hall of Fame appointed screening committee will be narrowing down the candidates prior to a Blue Ribbon Selection Committee evaluating the final five candidates and ultimately choosing the winner. Both of the Hall of Fame committees are made up of top college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sportsinformation 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 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) and Greivis Vasquez (Maryland). For more information or to see a complete list of candidates for the 2011 Bob Cousy Award, log onto www.cousyaward.com.
