University of Tennessee Athletics
Slay Tabbed as Wooden Award Finalist
March 10, 2003 | Men's Basketball
March 10, 2003
LOS ANGELES - Tennessee's Ron Slay is one of 22 finalists it was announced today for the 2003 John R. Wooden Award, presented annually to the nation's top collegiate basketball player.
The Wooden Award Committee announced the 22 student-athletes named to the official ballot for the 2003 Wooden Award All-American Team and Player of the Year. The 27th Annual Wooden Award Ceremony will be televised live from The Los Angeles Athletic Club April 12.
"We never imagined the selection process would be so difficult this year, which is testimony to the wealth of talent that exists in college basketball today, said Richard "Duke" Llewellyn, founder and chairman of the Wooden Award. "The Wooden Award National Advisory Board feels that these 22 players are the most deserving for consideration, and we applaud each of them for their outstanding effort both on and off the court. At this point, the race is wide open, and it's all in the hands of the voters now."
A panel of over 1,000 voters comprised of sports media members and college basketball experts from around the nation will have until noon pacific time on Monday, March 31 to cast their votes for the 10-member All-American Team and Wooden Award honor as the most outstanding collegiate basketball player in the United States. While other player of the year awards are voted upon prior to postseason play, the Wooden Award opts for the later March 31 deadline because it allows voters to evaluate players up until the Final Four has been determined.
This year's ballot includes players from nine NCAA conferences, including the Big East (5) Big 12 (4), SEC (4), ACC (2), Pac-10 (2), Big 10 (2), Conference USA (2), Atlantic 10 (1) and Missouri Valley (1).
Fifteen of the 22 candidates are seniors, including Luke Walton, the only 2002 Wooden Award All-American who returns to the ballot for the second consecutive year. Two universities lead the way /with two nominated players apiece, including Kansas (Nick Collison and Kirk Hinrich) and Arizona (Jason Gardner and Luke Walton).
Two players who were not included on the midseason top-30 candidate list were voted onto the official ballot. After a slow start, Troy Bell has played phenomenally during the latter part of the season, guiding Boston College to a likely NCAA tournament bid. Tennessee's Slay has rebounded from the torn ACL he suffered at the end of last season to become one of the frontrunners for the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year.
Each of the 22 players has met the criteria to be considered on the official ballot. In addition to focusing on the important teachings of the Award's namesake, such as team play and strength of character, the criteria includes a prerequisite exclusive to the Wooden Award: scholastic achievement. Each athlete must be making progress toward graduation and must be accredited by his school as maintaining a cumulative 2.00 grade point average.
The All-American Team will be announced on April 1, and the top five candidates will be invited to attend the awards ceremony in Los Angeles. These finalists will receive a contribution from the John R. Wooden Award Scholarship Fund in their name to their university's general scholarship fund.
| 2003 John R. Wooden Award Finalists | |
| Mario ?Austin | Mississippi State |
| Troy?Bell | Boston College |
| Steve ?Blake | Maryland |
| Matt?Bonner | Florida |
| Nick?Collison | Kansas |
| Brian?Cook | Illinois |
| Chris?Duhon | Duke |
| T.J. ?Ford | Texas |
| Reece?Gaines | Louisville |
| Jason ?Gardner | Arizona |
| Kirk?Hinrich | Kansas |
| Josh?Howard | Wake Forest |
| Brandin?Knight | Pittsburgh |
| Kyle ?Korver | Creighton |
| Emeka?Okafor | Connecticut |
| Hollis ?Price | Oklahoma |
| Ron ?Slay | Tennessee |
| Mike?Sweetney | Georgetown |
| Chris?Thomas | Notre Dame |
| Dwyane?Wade | Marquette |
| Luke ?Walton | Arizona |
| David?West | Xavier |
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