Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski
Christmas Selected An Abdul-Jabbar Award Finalist
3/9/2015 10:47:00 AM | Men's Basketball
SPRINGFIELD, MA – Syracuse graduate student Rakeem Christmas has been selected as one of five finalists for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award according to The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
The winners of the Basketball Hall of Fame college basketball awards will be determined by a combination of fan votes and input from the Hall of Fame's selection committees. Fans are encouraged to visit www.HoophallAwards.com to cast their votes March 9-18.
Christmas, who is also one of 15 finalists for the John R. Wooden Awardy recognizing the college basketball player of the year, just completed his final season with the Orange.
Four positional awards -- the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award, the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award, and the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award -- were introduced during the 2014-15 season, in addition to the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award presented by College of the Holy Cross, which is now in its twelfth year. A national committee comprised of top college basketball personnel narrowed the original player watch lists down to the final five candidates in each position.
"For many years, the Basketball Hall of Fame has recognized the top collegiate point guards in the nation with the Bob Cousy Award. This season, we are excited to expand upon these awards by recognizing the top players at each position," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. "The finalists selected exhibit tremendous athleticism and remarkable drive. They are the best of the best and we are pleased to be recognizing them for their efforts."
The winners of the inaugural awards will be awarded at ESPN's new College Basketball Awards presented by Wendy's from Club Nokia in Los Angeles, CA on Friday, April 10, 2015. The Awards will be televised live on ESPN2 at 8:00pm EST.
The winners of the Basketball Hall of Fame college basketball awards will be determined by a combination of fan votes and input from the Hall of Fame's selection committees. Fans are encouraged to visit www.HoophallAwards.com to cast their votes March 9-18.
Christmas, who is also one of 15 finalists for the John R. Wooden Awardy recognizing the college basketball player of the year, just completed his final season with the Orange.
Four positional awards -- the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award, the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award, and the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award -- were introduced during the 2014-15 season, in addition to the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award presented by College of the Holy Cross, which is now in its twelfth year. A national committee comprised of top college basketball personnel narrowed the original player watch lists down to the final five candidates in each position.
"For many years, the Basketball Hall of Fame has recognized the top collegiate point guards in the nation with the Bob Cousy Award. This season, we are excited to expand upon these awards by recognizing the top players at each position," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. "The finalists selected exhibit tremendous athleticism and remarkable drive. They are the best of the best and we are pleased to be recognizing them for their efforts."
The winners of the inaugural awards will be awarded at ESPN's new College Basketball Awards presented by Wendy's from Club Nokia in Los Angeles, CA on Friday, April 10, 2015. The Awards will be televised live on ESPN2 at 8:00pm EST.
| 2015 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award Finalists |
| Bobby Portis, University of Arkansas |
| Jahlil Okafor, Duke University |
| Willie Cauley-Stein, University of Kentucky |
| Rakeem Christmas, Syracuse University |
| Frank Kaminsky, University of Wisconsin |
Players Mentioned
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