Sunday 04/09/2006
April 9, 2006
Clemson, SC – The Clemson men’s basketball team announced its 2005-06 awards winners at the annual year-ending banquet at the school’s Hendrix Center on Sunday. The Tiger coaching staff handed out awards to the team’s top performers and various support staff. Akin Akingbala received the Paul Bowie Most Valuable Player Award, while Steve Allen earned the Tom Lynch Most Improved Award. Other player award winners on Sunday included Vernon Hamilton, Cliff Hammonds, Matt Morris, and Shawan Robinson.
Academic Excellence Award – Fort Hill County Clemson Club >Shawan Robinson
o Three-time selection to the All-ACC Academic team and likely the first four-time selection in school history
o 2004-05 CoSIDA Academic All-District selection
o Member of the Clemson honor roll for the fall semester
o Spent the season as a fifth grade student teacher at Central Elementary School
Tiger Strength Award – Lexington Clemson Club
>Akin Akingbala
o Averaged 27.4 minutes per game, third-most on the Clemson team; a testament to his improved stamina
o Improved his bench press to over 300 pounds and squat to over 380 pounds as a senior
o Despite his size, still has a vertical jump of 36 inches
Most Assists Award – Union County Clemson Club
>Cliff Hammonds
o Led the team this season with 105 assists
o Ranked third in the ACC in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.84)
o Posted five or more assists in 10 games
o Needs just seven assists for 200 in his career
Field Goal Percentage Award – Greater Columbia Clemson Club
o Led the team this season in field goal shooting at 57.6 percent
o Finished his career ranked fourth in school history in shooting at 58.8 percent
o Totaled 59 dunks as a senior, second-most in a single season in Clemson history
o Shot 50% or better from the floor in 25 of Clemson’s 32 games
Free Throw Percentage Award – Greater Greenwood Clemson Club
>Shawan Robinson
o Led the ACC in free throw shooting at 91.3 percent; first Tiger to lead the league in that category in 39 years
o Finished third in the nation in free throw shooting, best finish ever for a Tiger in the NCAA rankings in that category
o His 91.3 percent mark from the line ranks fourth in ACC history for a single season
o His career 83.3 percent free throw clip ranks sixth in Clemson history
Defensive Player of the Year Award – Spartanburg County Clemson Club
>Vernon Hamilton
o Named to ACC’s All-Defensive team and was second-leading vote getter
o Named to All-Defensive Team by Collegeinsider.com
o Established the Clemson career (201) and single-season (83) steals records this season
o Led the ACC in steals per game (2.68), becoming the first Tiger ever to achieve that distinction
o Had three or more steals in 19 contests this season, with a season-high of six versus Wofford
Leading Rebounder Award – Greenville Clemson Club
o Led the team and ranked fourth in the ACC at 8.2 rebounds per game
o Ranked in the top 10 in the ACC in offensive rebounds per game (3.0)
o Posted double figures in rebounds in 10 games
o Season-high for both total (16) and offensive rebounds (7) came in comeback victory over Virginia Tech
Mr. Effort Award – Aiken County Clemson Club
o Led the team in minutes played for the second straight season
o One of four players on the team to average double figures in scoring (10.1)
o Ranked second on the team and seventh in the ACC with 1.75 steals per game
o Made perhaps the top defensive play of the year by chasing down Florida State center Alexander Johnson from behind and blocking his fast break dunk attempt
Tom Lynch Most Improved Award
>Steve Allen
o More than doubled his career minutes played with 396 as a senior
o Tripled his career scoring and rebounding averages in 2005-06
o Ranked second on the team with 29 blocked shots
o Shot 54.2 percent from the field, one of the top marks on the team
Paul Bowie Most Valuable Player Award
o Ranked second on the team in scoring average (12.0) and first in rebounding average (8.2)
o Ranked in the top 10 of the ACC in rebounds per game, offensive rebounds, and blocked shots
o Posted nine double-doubles, including eight in his final 11 games as a Tiger
o Concluded his career ranked in the top 10 in school history in field goal percentage & blocked shots
o ACC Co-Player of the Week on March 6 after scoring his career-high 22 points on senior day against Georgia Tech
Air Force ROTC Award
(Presented to the player who best exhibits the core values of the Air Force, as demonstrated by his integrity, service before self, and excellence in all endeavors)
>Matt Morris
Jim Phillips Coaches Award
(Presented in honor of the legendary Voice of the Tigers to an administrator who gives outstanding, dedicated support to the Clemson basketball program)
Robert Ricketts
Dr. R.C. Edwards Fan Award
(Presented in honor of former Clemson University President, Dr. R.C. Edwards, to a fan(s) who provide undying loyalty and support to the Clemson basketball program)
Adam D’Alessandro, Josh Vaughn
Bob Bradley Award
(Presented in honor of former Clemson Sports Information Director Bob Bradley, who served for 45 years, to an individual who works in the Sports Information area for their loyal and dedicated support of Clemson basketball)
Larry Nash
Andy Balliet “Spirit of Clemson” Award
(Presented in honor of former Clemson student and administrator Andy Balliet who passed away four 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)
Bobby Skelton
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