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.