THE LOU HENSON AWARD

2020 Lou Henson Award

March 25, 2020

THE 2020 AWARD

BOSTON, MA -- William & Mary's Nathan Knight is the recipient of 2019-20 Lou Henson Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top Division I mid-major player.

Knight, who was recently named to the Lefty Driesell Defensive All-America team, became just the second player in history to be named both the Colonial Athletic Association Player and Defensive Player of the Year. He also became just the fourth player in CAA history and the first since 1989 to average 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. He was one of only two players in college basketball to accomplish that this season.

The 6-foot-10 senior led the nation in player efficiency rating (34.9) and finished second in the country in double-doubles with 23. He also ranks among the top 20 nationally in free throws made (4th at 180), defensive rebound per game (6th at 7.8), win shares (10th at 6.3), total rebounds (13th at 337), total points (14th at 663), rebounds per game (16th at 10.5), field goals made (16th at 227) and points per game (19th at 20.7).

Knight help lead the Tribe to a 21-11 record and a second-place finish in the CAA. The 21 wins were the most in the regular season for a Tribe team since 1950, and the 2019-20 squad equaled school records with 13 CAA wins and 10 road victories. William and Mary was also ranked in the Mid-Major Top 25 ® for the first time in school history.

The award honors Henson, the former Illinois and New Mexico State coach who won 775 games in 41 seasons.  Henson is the winningest coach in Illinois basketball history with 423 victories. During his 21 seasons (1975-1996), Henson led the Fighting Illini to 16 postseason appearances, including 12 NCAA tournaments and a Final Four appearance in 1989.

Henson, who is also the all-time winningest coach in New Mexico State history with 289 victories, is one of only 11 coaches to take two different schools to the NCAA Final Four. His teams have made 19 NCAA appearances and four NIT appearances.

Players on teams from the following conferences are eligible for the award: America East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Colonial, Horizon, Ivy, Metro Atlantic, Mid-American, Mid-Eastern, Missouri Valley, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Southland, Southwestern, Summit, Sun Belt, West Coast.


2019-20 LOU HENSON ALL-AMERICA TEAM

Milan Acquaah * 6-3 Jr. California Baptist
E.J. Anosike 6-6 Jr. Sacred Heart
Paul Atkinson 6-10 Jr. Yale
Isaiah Blackmon 6-1 Sr. Saint Francis PA
Tray Boyd III 6-4 Sr. ETSU
Keith Braxton * 6-5 Sr. Saint Francis PA
AJ Brodeur * 6-8 Sr. Penn
Tevin Brown 6-5 So. Murray State
Desure Buie 5-11 Sr. Hofstra
Elijah Childs * 6-7 Jr. Bradley
Yoeli Childs * 6-8 Sr. BYU
Carlos Dotson 6-7 Sr. Western Carolina
Jordan Ford * 6-1 Sr. Saint Mary's
Eugene German 6-0 Sr. Northern Illinois
AJ Green * 6-4 So. Northern Iowa
Kevon Harris * 6-6 Sr. Stephen F. Austin
Juvaris Hayes 6-0 Sr. Merrimack
Bo Hodges 6-5 Jr. ETSU
Caleb Homesley * 6-6 Sr. Liberty
Loren Jackson 5-8 Jr. Akron
Scottie James * 6-8 Sr. Liberty
Carlik Jones * 6-1 Jr. Radford
Nathan Knight * 6-10 Sr. William & Mary
Cameron Krutwig * 6-9 Jr. Loyola Chicago
Adam Kunkel 6-3 So. Belmont
Anthony Lamb * 6-6 Sr. Vermont
Loudon Love * 6-8 Jr. Wright State
Jordan Lyons * 5-11 Sr. Furman
Max Mahoney * 6-8 Sr. Boston University
Isaiah Miller * 6-0 Jr. UNCG
Sa'eed Nelson * 6-2 Sr. American
Markquis Nowell 5-7 So. Little Rock
Nijal Pearson * 6-5 Sr. Texas State
Jalen Pickett * 6-4 So. Siena
Grant Riller * 6-3 Sr. Charleston
Colbey Ross * 6-1 Jr. Pepperdine
Terry Taylor * 6-5 Jr. Austin Peay
Jahlil Tripp 6-5 Sr. Pacific
Tyson Ward 6-6 Sr. North Dakota State
Douglas Wilson 6-7 Jr. South Dakota State


* Named to Lou Henson Preseason Watch List

The Lou Henson National Player of the Year Award, which is presented annually to the top mid-major player in division I college basketball, honors the former Illinois and New Mexico State head coach who won 775 games in 41 seasons.
 
Henson is the winningest coach in Illinois basketball history with 423 victories. During his 21 seasons (1975-1996), Henson led the Fighting Illini to 16 postseason appearances, including 12 NCAA tournaments and a Final Four appearance in 1989.
 
Henson, who is also the all-time winningest coach in New Mexico State history with 289 victories, is one of only 11 coaches to take two different schools to the NCAA Final Four. His teams have made 19 NCAA appearances and four NIT appearances.
 
Players on teams from the following conferences are eligible for the award: America East, ASUN, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Coastal Athletic, CUSA, Horizon, Independents, Ivy, Metro Atlantic, Mid-American, MEAC, Missouri Valley, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Southland, SWAC, Summit, Sun Belt, WAC, West Coast.
 
The recipient of the 2023-24 award will be announced in April, in Phoenix, AZ site of the men's NCAA Basketball Championship.

The Lou Henson award is presented annually to the top division I mid-major player as voted on by the award committee.

Eligible players must in the following conferences or leagues: America East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Colonial, Horizon, Independents, Ivy, Metro Atlantic, Mid-American, Mid-Eastern, Missouri Valley, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Southland, Southwestern, Summit, Sun Belt, West Coast and Western Athletic.

The 10-member voting committee consists of current and former head coaches, as well as two senior staff members of collegeinsider.com.
 
The award is presented annually at the site of the men's Division I NCAA basketball championship. 
 
NOTE: The basis for mid-major designation is based on the criteria established by the Mid-Major Top 25 ® which was created by CollegeInsider.com and is a registered trademark.
 
 

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