2010-11 College Basketball: Wooden Award Preseason Top 50, Part 2

Note: This is the second part of the Top 50 List (See 2010-11 College Basketball: Wooden Award Preseason Top 50, Part I)

The John R. Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 list was announced on October 4 by The Los Angeles Athletic Club. These 50 student-athletes are the early leaders to earn college basketball’s most prestigious honor.

Eleven conferences are represented on the Wooden Award Preseason List: Big Ten (10 players), ACC (eight), Big East (seven), SEC (three), Big 12 (seven), Pac-10 (six), Atlantic 10 (three), Mountain West (two), West Coast (two) and Conference USA and the Horizon League with one apiece.

Purdue (Robbie Hummel, JaJuan Johnson, E’Twaun Moore) was the only school with three players named to the Wooden Award Preseason Top 50. However, Hummel will miss the upcoming season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in practice.

Five schools had two players chosen to the list: Colorado (Alec Burks, Cory Higgins); Duke (Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith); Gonzaga (Steven Gray, Elias Harris); Michigan State (Kalin Lucas, Durrell Summers); and Syracuse (Kris Joseph, Brandon Triche).

Four seniors return from past Wooden Award ballots: Duke’s Kyle Singler (2009, 2010), Robbie Hummel of Purdue (2008, 2010), Kalin Lucas of Michigan State (2009, 2010) and BYU’s Jimmer Fredette (2010)

Players are listed alphabetically.

Jon Leuer 6'10" Sr. F Wisconsin

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INDIANAPOLIS - MARCH 12: Forward Jon Leuer #30 of the Wisconsin Badgers drives with the ball against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 12, 2010 in Indianapolis,

2009-10 Stats: 15.4 ppg 5.8 rpg 1.6 apb

Named to 2011 Preseason All-Big Ten team...2009 and 2010 Academic All-Big Ten...Big Ten Player of the Week (3/7/2010)...Honorable Mention All-Big Ten in 2010.

Leuer, one of the top players in the Big Ten, led the Badgers in scoring, rebounding and blocks (1.3 bpg) last year despite missing nine games during the Big Ten season with a broken left wrist.

At 6'10", Leuer presents matchup problems with his combination of size, outside stroke and the ability to put the ball on the floor.

Kalin Lucas 6'1" Sr. F Michigan State

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SPOKANE, WA - MARCH 19: Kalin Lucas #1 of the Michigan St. Spartans drives to the basket against the New Mexico St. Aggies during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Spokane Arena on March 19, 2010 in Spokane, Washington. (Ph

2009-10 Stats: 14.8 ppg 1.9 rpg 4.0 apg

Lucas was named the nation's best point guard by Lindy's College Basketball and earned a spot on Dick Vitale's Preseason All-Rolls Royce Team.

He was a member of  the 2009-10 Final Four All-Tournament Team. He was the 2009 Big Ten Player of the Year and All-Big Ten First Team honoree.

Lucas reminds many people of another great Spartan PG: Mateen Cleaves. Protypical floor general. Great leader, penetrator, passer and ballhandler.

Lucas led the Spartans last year in scoring, field goals made (173) and attempted (438), free throws made (172) and attempted (213), assists and minutes (31.9 mpg), while ranking second in steals (39).

With Lucas and three other starters returning, the Spartans are a favorite to return to the Final Four.

Shelvin Mack 6'3" Jr. G Butler

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INDIANAPOLIS - APRIL 05: Shelvin Mack #1 of the Butler Bulldogs brings the ball up court against the Duke Blue Devils during the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 5, 2010 in Indianapolis, India

2009-10 Stats: 14.1 ppg 3.7 rpg 3.0 apg

Instant offense type of shooter/scorer...Think a younger Ben Gordon. What he lacks in length, Mack makes up for it in strength and build. Very strong.

Last season, Mack was second in scoring Butler.

Because of key losses in Gordon Hayward, Willie Veasley and Avery Jukes, Mack and the Bulldogs will need to step up their game significantly in order to make another deep run in the NCAA tournament.

Demetri McCamey 6'3" Sr. G Illinois

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INDIANAPOLIS - MARCH 13: Guard Demetri McCamey #32 of the Illinois Fighting Illini drives with the ball in their 88-81 double overtime loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the semifinals of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on M

2009-10 Stats: 15.1 ppg 3.6 rpg 7.1 apg

Last year as a junior, McCamey was a First-Team All-Big Ten selection and named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team.

He was the Fighting Illini's leading scorer (10th in the Big Ten). He led the Big Ten and ranked second in the nation in assists with a school-record average of 7.1 apg. McCamey is the only player in school history to total more than 1,200 career points and 500 career assists in three seasons.

McCamey also led Illinois in scoring as a sophomore.

With the team's strong returning cast and a solid recruiting class, McCamey could help Illinois make a run for a Big Ten title and a run in the NCAA tournament.

E’Twaun Moore 6'4" Sr. G Purdue

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SPOKANE,WA - MARCH 21: E'Twaun Moore #33 of the Purdue Boilermakers makes a jumpshot against Dash Harris #5 of the Texas A&M Aggies during the second round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Spokane Arena on March 21, 2010 in Spokane, Was

2009-10 Stats: 16.4 ppg 3.8 rpg 2.1 apg

Moore was a 2010 Honorable Mention AP All-American, ESPN The Magazine Second-Team Academic All-American and First-Team All-Big Ten performer.

Moore was also Second-Team All-Big Ten (2008, 2009), Academic All-Big Ten (2009, 2010) and Big Ten All-Freshman Team (2008).

Moore is a legitimate threat both from the perimeter and in the lane. He led Purdue in scoring with 16.5 points a game and shooting beyond the arc at 34.3 percent.

As a senior, E'Twaun will have the chance to become the fifth Boilermaker to score 2,000 career points, joining former Purdue greats Rick Mount, Joe Barry Carroll, Dave Schellhase and Troy Lewis.

With Moore's versatility, the Boilermakers have a chance to be one of the best teams in the country this year.

Marcus Morris 6'9" Jr. F Kansas

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OKLAHOMA CITY - MARCH 18: Marcus Morris #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks dunks against the Lehigh Mountain Hawks during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Ford Center on March 18, 2010 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald

2009-10 Stats: 12.8 ppg 6.1 rpg 1.0 apg

Last year, Morris was named the Yahoo Sports! Most Improved Player nationally and to the All-Big 12 Second Team.

In 2008-09, Morris was voted to the Big 12 All-Rookie Team.

He is KU's top returning scorer and rebounder from 2009-10. Morris is a two-year starter who has been described as a do-everything type player who can post up, shoot from the perimeter and handle the ball.

With the Jayhawks losing a trio of talented players in Sherron Collins, Cole Aldrich and Xavier Henry,  Morris will be expected to step up his game so KU can challenge once again for the Big 12 title.

Jacob Pullen 6' Sr. G Kansas State

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SALT LAKE CITY - MARCH 25: Jacob Pullen #0 of the Kansas State Wildcats handles the ball under pressure from Terrell Holloway #52 of the Xavier Musketeers during the west regional semifinal of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Energy Solut

2009-10 Stats: 19.3 ppg 2.6 rpg 3.4 apg

Pullen earned All-America honors from several outlets, including third-team honors from The Sporting News and honorable mention accolades from the Associated Press.

He became just the second player to earn First-Team All-Big 12 honors since the inception of the league, joining former teammate Michael Beasley in 2008.

Pullen was also selected first team all-conference by the AP, The Sporting News, Yahoo! Sports and Kansas City Star, and was named to the Big 12's six-man All-Defensive Team.

Ranks in the Top 10 in seven KSU single-season categories, including first in three-point field goals, second in three-point field goals attempted and free throws, fourth in points (715) and free throws attempted and sixth in 20-point games (16).

With the departure of Denis Clemente, Pullen may return to the point for his senior season. The Wildcats are poised to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament.

Going into this season, Pullen was named to the Associated Press 2010-11 preseason All-America team.

John Shurna 6'8" Jr. F Northwestern

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INDIANAPOLIS - MARCH 11: Forward John Shurna #24 of the Northwestern Wildcats drives with the ball against the Indiana Hoosiers during the first round of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 11, 2010 in Indianapolis, Ind

2009-10 Stats: 18.2 ppg 6.4 rpg 2.6 apg

Last season, Shurna was a consensus Second-Team All-Big Ten selection. He was named most improved player in the nation by Sporting News and established Northwestern single-season records for points (619) and field goals (217).

Shurna is a big reason that NU is coming off its winningest season in school history in 2009-10,
posting a 20-14 record.

He led the Big Ten in three-point field goals per game (2.9), while ranking second in scoring (20.1) in conference play. He led the Wildcats in both scoring and rebounding.

Last summer, Shurna won a gold medal at the FIBA World Championships as a member of the United States under-19 team.

Kyle Singler 6'8" Sr. F Duke

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INDIANAPOLIS - APRIL 05: Kyle Singler #12 of the Duke Blue Devils attempts a shot against the Butler Bulldogs during the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 5, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Duke

2009-10 Stats: 17.7 ppg 7.0 rpg 2.4 apg

Singler was instrumental in Duke winning its fourth national championship. He was named NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player after averaging 20.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in wins over West Virginia and Butler.

Last season, he also won First-Team All-ACC honors.

Singler led the NCAA Champion Blue Devils in three-point shooting percentage and was second in both scoring and rebounding.

Many consider him a favorite to win the Wooden Award this upcoming season.

Singler was named to the Associated Press 2010-11 preseason All-America team.

Chris Singleton 6'9" Jr. F Florida State

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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 12: Chris Singleton #31 of the Florida State Seminoles dunks in front of Johnny Thomas #30 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack in their quarterfinal game in the 2010 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on Ma

2009-10 Stats: 10.2 ppg 7.0 rpg 2.2 apg

Last season as a sophomore, Singleton was selected as ACC Defensive Player of the Year. He begins his junior season as one of the nation's top candidates for the Henry Iba Award, the prize for college basketball's top defensive player.

Singleton earned All-ACC Third Team and ACC All-Defensive Team honors as he led the ACC in steals and finished fifth in blocked shots to become only the fifth player in the history of the ACC to rank in the top five in both the steals and blocked shots categories.

A force in the middle, Singleton led the Seminoles last year in rebounding and was second in scoring.

Nolan Smith 6'2" Sr. G Duke

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INDIANAPOLIS - APRIL 05: Nolan Smith #2 of the Duke Blue Devils attempts a shot against the Butler Bulldogs during the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 5, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Duke w

2009-10 Stats: 17.4 ppg 2.8 rpg 3.0 apg

The son of the late Derek Smith, a former forward of University of Louisville who played nine years in the NBA.

Last season, Smith was named to the NCAA All-Final Four team after averaging 16.0 points and 5.0 assists per game in wins over West Virginia and Butler.

2009-10 Second Team All-ACC selection...ACC Player of the Week on Nov. 23

Tracy Smith 6'8" Sr. F North Carolina State

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DURHAM, NC - JANUARY 20: Tracy Smith #23 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack draws a foul from Gerald Henderson #15 of the Duke Blue Devils during the game on January 20, 2009 at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/

2009-10 Stats: 16.5 ppg 7.3 rpg 1.1 apg

Smith led the Wolfpack last year in scoring, rebounding and FG percentage (.524) and was an All-ACC Second Team selection, the highest Wolfpack finisher since Julius Hodge was a second-team choice in 2005.

He was also named to last season's ACC All-Tournament second team.

With Smith, a force in the middle, and a fantastic recruiting class, Sidney Lowe's Wolfpack are ready to make a run at the top of the conference.

Durrell Summers 6'5" Sr. G Michigan State

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SPOKANE, WA - MARCH 21: Durrell Summers #15 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots over Greivis Vasquez #21 of the Maryland Terrapins during the second round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Spokane Arena on March 21, 2010 in Spokane, Washi

2009-10 Stats: 11.3 ppg 4.7 rpg 0.8 apg

Summers is poised for a breakout junior campaign. Along with Kalin Lucas, he is part of a Spartans backcourt ranked best in the nation by Lindy's College Basketball. He also earned preseason All-Big Ten accolades from Lindy's.

Summers led the Spartans last season in FT percentage (.795).

With Summers and Lucas in the backcourt, and only losing Raymar Morgan from last year's team that made it to the Final Four, Tom Izzo's Spartans may have the pieces necessary to win it all.

Jeffery Taylor 6'7" Jr. G/F Vanderbilt

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SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 18: Forward Jeffery Taylor #44 of the Vanderbilt Commodores drives with the ball against the Murray State Racers during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men�s basketball tournament at HP Pavilion on March 18, 2010 in San Jose, Califo

2009-10 Stats: 13.3 ppg 5.2 rpg 1.7 apg

Taylor was named a second-team All-SEC player in 2009-10 after being named to the All-SEC Freshman Team in 2008-09.

Taylor has started in every game of his Vanderbilt career. He scored 438 points as a sophomore, which ranks eighth all-time on the Vanderbilt sophomore single-season list.

During the summer of 2008, Taylor played for the Sweden National Team in the Under-20 European Division B Championships, where he averaged 19.4 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists in eight games.

Isaiah Thomas 5'9" Jr. G Washington

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SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 18: Isaiah Thomas #2 of the Washington Huskies takes a shot against the Marquette Golden Eagles during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at HP Pavilion on March 18, 2010 in San Jose, California. (Photo by

2009-10 Stats: 16.9 ppg 3.9 rpg 3.2 apg

Last season, Thomas was named First Team All-Pac-10 and 2010 Pac-10 Tournament Most Outstanding Player.

Thomas led the Huskies last season in assists and is the top returning scorer.

He enters the season with 1,134 points in his first two seasons, the most by a UW player to start a career.

With Thomas, Venoy Overton and Abdul Gaddy, Lorenzo Romar has possibly the best guard trio in the nation, and the Huskies are the overwhelming favorite to take the Pac-10 title.

Trey Thompkins 6'10" Jr. F Georgia

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NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 11: Trey Thompkins #33 of the Georgia Bulldogs goes up for a dunk attempt against the Arkanasas Razorbacks during the first round of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at the Bridgestone Arena on March 11, 2010 in Nashville, Tennes

2009-10 Stats: 17.7 ppg 8.3 rpg 1.9 apg

One of the nation's top returning players, Tompkins is the only returnee from among the 2010 Coaches' All-Southeastern Conference First Team.

Last season, Tompkins was second in the SEC in scoring, fourth in rebounding, seventh in FG percentage and eighth in FT percentage. He also ranked fourth in the SEC in double-doubles (10).

In 2008-09, Tompkins was named to the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team.

Has spent part of the past two summers involved in USA Basketball activities.

A talented inside-outside threat with an NBA-ready body, Thompkins led the Bulldogs in scoring and rebounding last season.

Klay Thompson 6'6" Jr. G Washington State

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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JULY 11: Klay Thompson of the USA is put under pressure from Sime Olivari of Croatia during the U19 Basketball World Championships Semi-Final match between Croatia and the United States of America at North Shore Events Centre on J

2009-10 Stats: 19.6 ppg 5.12 rpg 2.3 apg

Thompson's father, Mychal, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers.

He ranks on WSU's all-time list in free throw percentage (fourth at .817), scoring average (sixth with 19.6 ppg), three-point field goals made (eighth with 144), three-point field goal attempts (eighth with 374), three-point percentage (ninth at.385) and points (29th with 1,023).

Last season, Thompson was named to the All-Pacific-10 Conference First Team. He led WSU in points, minutes per game (35.4 mpg), steals (44, 1.4 spg) and three-pointers made (76, 2.5 mpg).

As a freshman, Thompson led WSU in three-point field goal percentage (.412) and free throw percentage (.903) and ranked second on the team in rebounds (4.2 rpg), assists (1.9 apg), and steals (30, 0.9 spg).  He ranked third on the team in points (12.5 ppg) and blocks (30, 0.9 bpg), and was named to the six-man Pacific-10 Conference All-Freshman Team and the Collegehoops.net All-Freshman Honorable Mention Team.

Joe Trapani 6'8" Sr. F Boston College

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MINNEAPOLIS - MARCH 20: Joe Trapani #12 of the Boston College Eagles drives against Dwight Lewis #21 of the USC Trojans during the first round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on March 20, 2009 in Min

2009-10 Stats: 14.1 ppg 6.4 rpg 1.3 apg

Trapani has played two seasons for the Eagles after sitting out the 2007-08 season under NCAA transfer rules. He joined the Boston College program after spending the 2006-07 season at the University of Vermont.

Trapani led the Eagles last season in scoring, rebounding and FT percentage (.802).

Last year, he earned All-ACC Third Team honors.

Brandon Triche 6'4" So. G Syracuse

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

ROSEMONT, IL - JANUARY 30: Brandon Triche #25 of the Syracuse Orange brings the ball up court against the DePaul Blue Demons at the Allstate Arena on January 30, 2010 in Rosemont, Illinois. Syracuse defeated DePaul 59-57. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty I

2009-10 Stats: 8.1 ppg 1.8 rpg 2.8 apg

Last season, Triche was voted to the Big East Conference All-Rookie Team, which is voted on by the head coaches of the Big East Conference. The Sporting News named Triche to its Big East All-Freshman Team, and collegeinsider.com named Triche a Freshman All-American.

Nikola Vucevic 6'10" Jr. F USC

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 13: Nikola Vucevic #5 of the USC Trojans goes for a layup against the UCLA Bruins in the Pacific Life Pac-10 Men's Basketball Tournament at the Staples Center on March 13, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Gett

2009-10 Stats: 10.7 ppg 9.4 rpg 1.2 apg

Last season, Vucevic was named the 2009-10 Pac-10 Most Improved Player. He led the league in rebounding and FG percentage (.504) and was USC’s second leading scorer.

Vucevic played for the Montenegro national team during the summer.

Kemba Walker 6'1" Jr. G Connecticut

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HARTFORD, CT - FEBRUARY 13: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies drives toward the basket against the Cincinnati Bearcats at the XL Center on February 13, 2010 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

2009-10 Stats: 14.6 ppg 4.3 rpg 5.1 apg

As a sophomore in 2009-10, Walker earned a spot on the All Big East Third Team. He was also named to the NIT All-Tournament Team.

As a freshman, Walker was named to the Big East All-Rookie Team. 

Walker is currently projected as a lottery pick in the 2011 NBA draft.

Derrick Williams 6'8" So. F Arizona

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 11: Kyle Fogg #21 of the Arizona Wildcats shoots over Reeves Nelson #11 of the UCLA Bruins during the quarterfinals of the Pac-10 Basketball Tournament at Staples Center on March 11, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ste

2009-10 Stats: 15.7 ppg 7.1 rpg 0.7 apg

Williams was one of the top performing freshman in the nation last year. He was named a Freshman All-American by The Sporting News and collegeinsider.com. The other four members of the Sporting News All-American team were all selected in the 2010 NBA draft.

Williams was also named the 2010 Pac-10 Freshman of the Year and a first-team All-Pac-10 selection.

He led the Arizona Wildcats last season in scoring, rebounding and FG percentage (.574). He was just the sixth player—and first freshman—to lead the Cats in all three categories in the same year in the era of freshman eligibility (since 1972-73).

Jordan Williams 6'10" So. F Maryland

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SPOKANE, WA - MARCH 21: Derrick Nix #50 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots over Jordan Williams #20 of the Maryland Terrapins during the second round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Spokane Arena on March 21, 2010 in Spokane, Washingt

2009-10 Stats: 9.6 ppg 8.6 rpg 0.2 apg

A physical player with an NBA-ready body...

Williams, an ACC All-Rookie Team selection, ranked second in the ACC in rebounding, tops on the list among freshmen.

Williams is the only third Terrapin freshman in history with 250 points and 250 boards, along with Joe Smith and Buck Williams.

Maryland coach Gary Williams said, "Jordan had a great freshman year. The key to anyone's career is to keep improving. Making first-team All-Freshman ACC was an accomplishment, but now he has to set his sights higher and to continue his development as a player."

Chris Wright 6'8" Sr. F Dayton

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NEW YORK - MARCH 30: Chris Wright #33 of the Dayton Flyers goes over DeAundre Cranston #52 of Ole Miss during their semi final at Madison Square Garden on March 30, 2010 in New York, New York. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

2009-10 Stats: 13.7 ppg 7.3 rpg 1.2 apg

A big-time athlete with high-level explosiveness (a 39.5-inch vertical leap) and quickness...

A First Team All-Atlantic 10 selection, Wright led the Flyers last season in scoring, rebounding, blocks (1.4) and FG percentage (.501).

Wright also led the team in minutes (28.6), dunks (a school-record 68), blocked shots (a school-record 53), free throws attempted (185) and free throws made (125). He led UD with 29 double-figure games in 2009-10.

Who Will Be This Year's Winner?

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ST. LOUIS - MARCH 26: Evan Turner #21 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to get past Melvin Goins #21 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the midwest regional semifinal of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Edward Jones Dome on March 26, 2010