Payton II Makes Final 10 For Bob Cousy Award
February 01, 2016 | Men's Basketball
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Gary Payton II was selected as one of 10 finalists for the Bob Cousy Award, which is given to the nation's top point guard, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Monday.
The Hall of Fame oversees a total of five awards named after legendary hall of famers at each position – point guard (Bob Cousy), shooting guard (Jerry West), small forward (Julius Erving), power forward (Karl Malone) and center (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar).
In March, five finalists will be presented to Mr. Cousy and the Hall of Fame's selection committee for the 2016 Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award. The winner of the 2016 Bob Cousy Award will be presented at the ESPN College Basketball Awards Show live from Club Nokia in Los Angeles, Calif., on Friday, April 8. Broadcast information will be released at a later date.
A native of Seattle, Wash., Payton II has had another all-around stellar season as Oregon State's leader in scoring (16.3), rebounding (8.1), assists (5.5), steals (2.3), assist/turnover margin (+2.1), double-doubles (6) and minutes played (34.1).
The 6-foot-3 guard has scored in double figures in 17 of the 20 games this season, including six contests with 20-plus points. He also broke his father's Oregon State record with at least one steal in 38 consecutive games.
“The athletes on this list represent the most dedicated and skillful point guards in college basketball,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “They exhibit many of the characteristics that made Mr. Cousy such a successful player and we are pleased to be recognizing them for their accomplishments. We thank College of the Holy Cross for their continued support of this esteemed award.”
2016 Bob Cousy Award Finalists
Kyle Collinsworth, BYU
Yogi Ferrell, Indiana
Monte Morris, Iowa State
Tyler Ulis, Kentucky
Melo Trimble, Maryland
Demetrius Jackson, Notre Dame
Kay Felder, Oakland
Gary Payton II, Oregon State
Kris Dunn, Providence
Nic Moore, SMU
With exceptional peripheral vision, large hands, sloping shoulders and extremely sturdy legs, Bob Cousy was an outstanding all-around player. In basketball circles, however, Cousy was best known for his razzle-dazzle ball handling abilities. Nicknamed the "Houdini of the Hardwood" by sports writers, Cousy is considered by many as the best playmaker ever. Cousy had an All-America career at The College of the Holy Cross, leading the Crusaders to three NCAA tournaments and the 1947 title.
A Basketball Hall of Famer since 1971, Mr. Cousy wanted to continue both his legacy and ensure that the best point guards in the collegiate game are appropriately recognized. Entering its 12th year of existence, the Cousy Award has both recognized some of the games' best players and students.
