After the first two weeks of the 2005-2006 season, five players have begun to stand out from the rest. It is likely that one of them will be named the player of the year when the season comes to a close in March.
J.J. Redick
Senior guard, Duke
Redick's ability to change a game with just one shot makes this star a likely candidate for this season's player of the year. He enters the 2005-2006 season as a returning All-American and by far the best pure shooter in the country. Last season he led the ACC in scoring, with an average of 21.8 points per game. He also led the ACC in minutes played, with 37.3 per game.
He improved tremendously last year and proved he could handle the pressure by expanding his game from a three-point specialist to an improved defender and a player capable of creating his own shot. He carried the Blue Devils offense, averaging 22.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and led the nation by shooting 93.4 percent from the line. Teams fear his three-point shots and incredible shooting range. Not to mention he was only the fifth sophomore in school history and 22nd sophomore in ACC history to reach 1,000 career points. Redick's improved defense, coupled with his versatility, make him a prime candidate for this season's player of the year award.
Rudy Gay
Sophomore forward, UConn
Gay is quite possibly the nation's most talented player. His athletic ability places him at the top of the list of candidates for this years honor. He possesses outstanding basketball talent'a solid ball-handler, jump shooter and shot blocker'which explains why last year he was named the Co-Rookie of the Year in the Big East Conference.
In the Huskies' regular season opener against Pepperdine, Gay registered a double double and in his performance on Nov. 21 in the EA Maui Invitational against Arkansas he scored a career-high 28 points, helping the Huskies win the game. He is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2006 NBA draft.
Daniel Gibson
Sophomore guard, Texas
Gibson may be young but he continues to impress the nation with his game. He is one of the best point guards in the country and after stepping up as a freshman to lead the Longhorns belongs among the candidates for player of the year. Gibson assumed much of the leadership after the mid-season losses of key players Tucker and Aldridge. He also became the team's top scoring option and led Texas in scoring nine times in the last 16 games of the 2004-2005 season.
He not only became the first freshman in school history to lead in scoring, but was also named the consensus Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year. As one of the top backcourt players his age, coupled with his leadership experience, Gibson unquestionably belongs amongst the candidates for player of the year.
Adam Morrison
Junior forward, Gonzaga
At 6'8\ with a remarkably high release point on his jump shot, Morrison is one of the most difficult players to defend in the country. As the season begins to take off, so does Morrison's game, placing him among likely candidates for player of the year. He was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Week and the tournament MVP, following an impressive performance at the EA Sports Maui Invitational. He led the tournament in scoring with 86 points, eight shy of setting a tournament record. Overall, he has great maneuverability with the ball and good instincts as a distributor.
Shelden Williams
Senior forward, Duke
Williams was nicknamed ""the landlord"" for a reason: he plays like he owns the paint. He also rightfully owns a spot on the list of candidates for player of the year. Williams plays with unrivaled authority and a winning combination of skills, strength and athleticism. Last season he was able to increase his shot blocking and playing time, while decreasing his fouls.
His shot blocking skills areextraordinary especially when coupled with a one-man zone defense. Williams plays the one man zone to perfection and blocked a league best 122 shots last season while doing so. His authority and experience (four years of college basketball) places him among the few elite candidates for this season's player of the year. extraordinary especially when coupled with a one-man zone defense. Williams plays the one man zone to perfection and blocked a league best 122 shots last season while doing so. His authority and experience (four years of college basketball) places him among the few elite candidates for this season's player of the year.
