Oct. 4, 2010
Columbia, Mo. - Missouri junior guard Kim English was named a preseason candidate for the prestigious John R. Wooden Player of the Year trophy announced on Monday by The Los Angeles Athletic Club. The Baltimore, Md., native led Mizzou in scoring last season averaging 14.0 points en route to all-Big 12 recognition.
The list features 50 of the top players in college basketball who, based on last year's individual and team performances, are considered to be the early frontrunners for one of the top honors in college hoops this season. Transfers and incoming freshmen are not eligible to for the preseason list, but can play their way into mid-season consideration for the honor.
English's selection marks the second consecutive year a Tiger has made the Wooden Preseason ledger. J.T. Tiller was a Top 50 nominee last year and helped the club to a 23-11 mark, which included a win in last year's NCAA Tournament.
English was one of college basketball's top breakout performers as a sophomore in 2009-10. The 6-foot-6 guard averaged 6.5 points per game as a freshman, but doubled that average in 2010 while making 29 starts. English topped the 20 point plateau in scoring 10 times last year, including 20 points in the NCAA win against Clemson and 24 vs. Illinois in St. Louis. Those 24 tallies helped English win Big 12 Player of the Week honors.
The Fastest 40 Minutes in Basketball has won 54 games over the past two seasons and should be poised for an outstanding 2010-11 campaign with the return of four of its top five leading scorers and a nationally-ranked recruiting class. Head Coach Mike Anderson's team opens practice on Oct. 15 and begins preseason play in early November. The 2010-11 regular season will begin Nov. 18 with a 7 p.m. contest against Western Illinois in the opening rounds of the Cancun Challenge. Opening-round games will be played in Columbia.
For more information about Missouri Basketball, please visit our website at mutigers.com.