Marquette University Athletics
Dwyane Wade Named Preseason Candidate For Naismith Award
10/22/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Oct. 22, 2002
Milwaukee -- Marquette University junior guard Dwyane Wade (Robbins, Ill./Richards HS) has been selected as a preseason candidate for the 2002-03 Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year Ward. The Naismith Award, now in its 35th year, was founded by the Atlanta Tipoff Club, an organization dedicated to recognizing the achievements of student-athletes in basketball.
Wade, who was named earlier this summer as a preseason candidate for the Wooden Award, has earned numerous honors heading into the 2002-03 campaign. He was named preseason Conference USA Player of the Year by both Lindy's and Athlon Sports and was a preseason First Team All-American by Athlon's. In addition, Street & Smith's tabbed him as the C-USA Preseason Player of the Year and a second team All-America choice.
An honorable mention All-American in 2001-02 as picked by the Associated Press, Wade led Marquette in scoring (17.8 ppg), rebounding (6.6 rpg), assists (3.4 apg) and steals (2.4 spg) in helping the Golden Eagles to an overall record of 26-7 that included a berth to the NCAA Tournament.
The preseason candidates for the Naismith Award were selected by a vote of the Board of Selectors comprised of leading basketball coaches, journalists and basketball analysts. Members of the board were asked to name top players who are most likely to be in contention for the award. Last year's male winner was Jason Williams of Duke.
This year's Naismith Award will be presented on April 11, 2003, in Atlanta.
2002-03 Preseason Naismith Award Candidates
Dwyane Wade, Marquette Brandin Knight, Pittsburgh Mario Austin, Mississippi State Chris Marcus, Western Kentucky Steve Blake, Maryland Brett Nelson, Florida Keith Bogans, Kentucky Hollis Price, Oklahoma Matt Bonner, Florida Darius Rice, Miami (FL) Nick Collison, Kansas Rick Rickert, Minnesota Brian Cook, Illinois Luke Ridnour, Oregon Erwin Dudley, Alabama Mike Sweetney, Georgetown Chris Duhon, Duke Chris Thomas, Notre Dame Andre Emmett, Texas Tech Luke Walton, Arizona T.J. Ford, Texas Travis Watson, Virginia Reece Gaines, Louisville David West, Xavier Jason Gardner, Arizona Jarvis Hayes, Georgia Kirk Hinrich, Kansas Josh Howard, Wake Forest Jason Kapono, UCLA
