2003-04 Men’s Basketball Banquet Awards & Photos

March 29, 2004

Clemson Men’s Basketball Awards for 2003-04

Greenville Clemson Club Award – Leading RebounderSharrod Ford *Led the Clemson team with 202 rebounds for the year, a 7.2 average, which was sixth best in the ACC this year. *Led Clemson in rebounding in 13 of the 28 games, including a career high 16 against Georgia Tech on Feb. 28. That was one of the top five rebound games by an ACC player this year. *Had 10 offensive rebounds in that Georgia Tech game to tie a Clemson record for offensive rebounds in an ACC game. *Led the team with seven double figure rebound games.

Greater Clemson Columbia Clemson Club Award – Highest Field Goal PercentageAkin Akingbala *Led the team in field goal percentage with a .606 mark. *Model of consistency, he shot at least 50 percent from the field in 24 of the 28 games this year. *Shot 5-7 from the field and scored 10 points in the victory over 13th ranked NC State. His scoring at the outset of the second half had a lot to do with that Clemson victory.

Greenwood County Clemson Club Award – Highest Free Throw PercentageOlu Babalola and Shawan RobinsonBabalola *Made 73-97 from the foul line, much improved over his .662 of his junior season. *Has been outstanding in the clutch from the foul line, he made both ends of a one-and-one with 6.5 seconds left to ice the victory over South Carolina State *Ranked 11th in the ACC in free throw shooting *Led the team in free throw shooting in ACC games with a .778 figure Robinson *Also made .753 for the season on 58-77 from the foul line. *Now at 75 percent for his career, best among active Tigers *Made 79 percent from the foul line in road games.

Florence County Clemson Club Award – Most Assists Vernon Hamilton *Led the team in assists with 91 *Led the team in assists in 13 different games, more than any other Tiger *Had nine assists in the win over Boston College, he also had 13 points and 11 rebounds, nearly becoming the first Clemson guard in history to record a triple double. *His assist total was fourth most in Clemson history for a freshman and best since 1991. *Named honorable mention All-Freshman team in the ACC for 2003-04.

Fort Hill County Clemson Club Award – Academic ExcellenceShawan Robinson *Made Academic All-ACC as a freshman, he continued that in the first semester this year by making the Clemson Academic Honor roll. *Has been on Clemson Academic Honor roll all three semesters he has finished at Clemson. *Majoring in Elementary Education.

Sumter County Clemson Club Award – Most EffortChris Hobbs*One stat that shows effort is taking charges. Hobbs led the team in that category with 16, the most by a Clemson player since Jerry Pryor took 21 in 1987-88. *Finished his career 11th in Clemson history in rebounding with 679.

Tiger Strength Award – Dedication In The Weight RoomOvarus Williams* Improved Bench Max by 20 pounds Spartanburg Clemson Club Award – Defensive PlayerSharrod Ford *Second in the ACC in blocked shots with 64, most by a Clemson player since Sharone Wright had 99 in 1993-94 *Ranked in the top 25 in the nation in blocked shots per game *Now seventh in Clemson history in blocked shots. *His defense was a major reason no opposing ACC frontcourt player had a double-double against Clemson this year. *Eighth in the ACC in voting for the league’s All-Defense team.

Paul Bowie Award – Most Valuable PlayerSharrod Ford *First Clemson player to lead the Tigers in scoring and rebounding in the same year since Greg Buckner did it in 1994-95. *Led Clemson in scoring 10 times and in rebounding 13 times. *Ranked in the top 10 in the ACC in blocked shots and rebounding. *Had team best 12.1 average against ACC teams, including 15-point average in ACC road games. *Shot 54 percent from the field and is now fifth in Clemson history in career field goal percentage entering his senior year.

Lynch Award – Most ImprovedAkin Akingbala *Improved scoring average from 1.1 to 4.8, his rebounding from 1.3 to 4.6. Had 20 blocked shots this year after getting just two as a freshman. *Improved from a strength standpoint, that was reflected in his rebounding. He led the Tigers in that category against Duke, Wake Forest and North Carolina during the ACC schedule. *If you pro rated his stats to a 40-minute game, he would average a double-double for the course of the season.

Jim Phillips Coach’s Award(Presented in honor of the legendary Voice of the Tigers to an administrator who gives outstanding, dedicated support to the Clemson basketball program.)Bill D’Andrea

Dr. R.C. Edwards Fan Award(Presented in honor of former President Dr. R.C. Edwards to a fan who provides for undying loyalty and support to the Clemson basketball program.)Mary Hedges

Bob Bradley Award(Presented in honor of former Sports Information Director Bob Bradley, who served Clemson for 45 years, to an individual who works in the Sports information area for their loyal and dedicated support of Clemson basketball)Louis Garmendia

Andy Balliet Spirit of Clemson Award (Presented in honor of former Clemson student and administrator Andy Balliet who passed away two years ago after a bout with cancer. It is given to an individual who represents the spirit of Clemson basketball through hard work and support of the program.)Will Wade