Jerome Jordan named to Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch list
Staff Report,
photo: Courtesy of TU Athletics
University of Tulsa senior basketball center Jerome Jordan was one of 50 candidates named to the 2009-10 Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch list, Oct. 29.
Jordan, the Conference USA Preseason Player of the Year, is the only C-USA player on this year’s list of preseason candidates.
The seven-foot center from Kingston, Jamaica, averaged 13.8 points, a team-leading 8.6 rebounds and 2.5 blocks last season while earning first-team all-conference honors and all-defensive team accolades as well. Jordan was also named the C-USA Player of the Week four times.
The Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch list was compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors, which based its criteria on player performances from the previous season and expectations for the 2009-10 college basketball season.
The Naismith Trophy, presented by AT&T, will be awarded at the 2010 NCAA Men’s Final Four in Indianapolis, Ind.
“The level of talent is exceptional across all teams, conferences and classes, which further underscores just how many candidates have a legitimate chance to win this award,” said Gary Stokan, Atlanta Tipoff Club president. “We are looking forward to the start of the season and to see who will end the year as the winner of the Naismith Trophy, the most prestigious award in college basketball.”
Last season Jordan averaged 17.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in 16 C-USA regular season games, while shooting 59 percent from the field and 77 percent from the free- throw line. He scored over 20 points in eight games and had 10 double-doubles. Jordan tallied 24 games with two or more blocks and 20 games with three or more blocked shots.
He had 25 double-figure scoring games and 14 double-digit rebounding games. Jordan’s 91 blocked shots gave him the No. 1 and 2 positions on the school’s single-season blocked- shots chart.
Jordan’s 251 career blocks ranks second on the school’s all-time blocked-shots list, and he enters his senior season needing 15 more blocks to tie Michael Ruffin (1995-99) for the school record.
Jordan ranks sixth on the C-USA career blocked shots list and needs 63 more blocks to tie the C-USA record. He has blocked two or more shots in 63 career games and three or more shots in 51 career games.
Since 2005, presenting sponsor AT&T has set a standard of allowing fans to participate in determining the trophy winner.
Through the easy method of text messaging, fan voting will account for an unprecedented 25 percent of the final results—more than any other national college basketball award.
In February, during CBS’ coverage of college basketball, the “AT&T at the Half” segment will feature a Naismith Trophy update highlighting the players in contention for the award.
“AT&T congratulates these athletes for their exceptional career performances, and we’re eager to see which player lands this esteemed award,” said Tim McGhee, executive director of AT&T corporate sponsorships. “We know college basketball fans are passionate about the game, and through our text message voting program, we’re giving them the opportunity to help determine this year’s award recipient.”
In late February, the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors will compile a mid-season team of the Top 30 players in the nation.
In March, the Naismith Trophy voting academy will vote to narrow the list to four finalists.
TU basketball opens its regular season with a game against Southern Nazarene at 7 p.m. Nov. 9.
The team then hosts St. Mary’s of Texas on Nov. 13, takes on Florida International at 2 p.m. Nov. 15 and plays UALR on ESPN at 1 p.m. Nov. 17.
Do Some Talkin’ Back
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in all Talkback Forums are those of individual writers and not of The Collegian or its staff. The Collegian reserves the right to remove posts as it sees fit.
^ Top of Page