Battier Named Naismith Winner

DURHAM, N.C. (Mar. 13) -- Duke senior forward Shane Battier (Birmingham, Mich.) was named the Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year winner on Tuesday, it was announced by the Atlanta Tip-Off Club. Battier becomes the first player to win the Naismith Award on the both the high school and college levels. He also captured the prep award in 1997 at Country Day High School in Michigan.

"I am very honored to receive the Naismith Award," Battier said. "I am proud of the fact that I hold high standards for myself both on the court and in the classroom. It is a tremendous honor to be mentioned with some of the great players who have previously earned this prestigious award, including several from Duke."

Battier, a Religion major, is the fifth Duke player to earn the Naismith Award, joining Johnny Dawkins (1986), Danny Ferry (1989), Christian Laettner (1992) and Elton Brand (1999). He was also named The Sporting News Player of the Year on Tuesday. A first team All-America pick, Battier has already won National Player of the Year honors by Sports Illustrated, ESPN.com, CBS Sportsline and Dick Vitale. In addition, he is a 2001 Verizon First Team Academic All-America for the second consecutive season. He is the winningest player in ACC history with 125 overall victories, 69 of which have come against league opponents.

Battier, who had his number 31 retired in a pregame ceremony on Feb. 21, averages 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.2 blocked shots and 2.1 steals for the top-ranked Blue Devils this season. The 2001 ACC Tournament Most Valuable Player, Battier became the first player in ACC history -- and only one of four nationally -- to record at least 1,500 points, 500 rebounds, 200 blocks, 200 assists and 200 steals in his career. In his career, Battier currently has 1,849 points, 826 rebounds, 238 blocks, 225 assists and 254 steals.

The Naismith Awards, in their 33rd year, are given in honor of the inventor of the game of basketball -- Dr. James Naismith. The awards program was founded by the Atlanta Tip-Off Club, an organization dedicated to recognizing the achievements of student-athletes in basketball. The Awards, including Men's and Women's College Player of the Year, Men's and Women's Coach of the Year, Male and Female Prep Player of the Year and Men's and Women's Official of the Year, are determined by a vote of the Naismith Board of Selectors. In addition, the Board of Selectors, comprised of a select group of leading basketball coaches, journalists and administrators, honors a Men's and Women's Outstanding Contributor to Basketball.

The Atlanta Tip-Off Club was founded in 1956 as a way for Atlantans to share in a common bond - the love and enjoyment of college basketball. It has a two-fold mission: to promote continued support for the game of basketball and to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of those who make the game so exciting.